“For the good of all, the poor come first.”

Written By: - Date published: 1:24 pm, December 3rd, 2018 - 23 comments
Categories: elections, im/migration, International, Left, liberalism, Politics, quality of life, social democracy, spin - Tags: ,

When Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) won the Mexican Presidential race, I commented that he was probably no more than a Jacinda Ardern in terms of being “left” but that seeing as how we were talking about Mexico, that was quite a big thing. I was wrong. He’s way to the left of Ardern – he’s left.

And so the international press has offered a rather muted response to his ascendancy to the position of President. Across some 20 articles, there is a common thread that suggests AMLO is out of touch, may be authoritarian, can’t possibly pay for the promises he’s made and is divisive. These days, I guess we really shouldn’t expect much else from mainstream media when it’s commenting on figures from the left.

So, putting aside the supposed analysis coming from such sources as the Wilson Center  who want to cast AMLO as an authoritarian keen to undermine democracy and consolidate power, (that’s the same jokers, who through Professor Anne-Marie Brady, have recently gone all arm wavy about China’s possible influence in NZ btw), here’s a taste of the things AMLO want’s to initiate, pursue and achieve during his six year Presidential term.

From abc7 we learn that AMLO reckons –

“Mexico’s crisis originated not only with the failure of the neoliberal policies applied over the last 36 years,” he said in his inaugural speech, “but also in the prevalence of the filthiest corruption.”

So presumably AMLO will pursue a decidedly social democratic suite of policies and seek to stamp on corruption. Now, of course, that might be about where the screeches about “authoritarianism” begin. After all, if he’s going to stamp out corruption, he’s going to have go full metal jacket and crack a few heads. But as reported in the same piece as above on his inaugural speech to Congress

The rowdiest response from Congress came when Lopez Obrador pledged “not to persecute officials of past administrations,” saying “revenge is not my strong suit.”

That suggests to me something along the lines of a “truth and reconciliation commission” – hardly the preference of a “strong man”.

But look, I’m fairly sure many media and talking heads will stay up late trying to convince all and sundry that everything AMLO does is along the same lines as what Chavez did or tried to do. And since Chavez was successfully portrayed as some kind of a monster, then of course, should any of AMLO’s policies bear so much as a passing resemblance to anything Chavez did, then we should properly view AMLO in similar terms- as a monster.

That shit has already begun with criticism of his intention to back his policies by way of referendums – the referendums will be rigged and suspect – ie, not reflective of what the country’s elites want or desire. The referendum that was run to get a feel for public opinion on the now cancelled $13 billion Mexico City airport is being touted as an example of how suspect and unrepresentative future referendums will be.

Meanwhile he is seeking to convince the US and Canada that they should help fund economic development in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador as a way to stem the flows of people seeking to escape the poverty of those countries. It’s a tall order, reportedly involving the injection of some $20 billion. And there’s the clash. On the one side, there’s a President who thinks –

…progressive governments, democratic governments respect migrants and respect the right that all human beings have to seek a [better] life, that’s the principle of human rights,”

And on the other, there’s a President who wrongly thinks that immigrants are miscreants.

Alongside policies designed to alleviate poverty, (such as offering more financial assistance to students and raising pensions), AMLO also intends to ban fracking and the growing of genetically modified crops. That’s to happen alongside expanding Mexico’s oil refining capacity (currently at a 20 odd year low) and satisfying international investors in terms of government borrowing, taxes and maintaining an “independent” central bank.

A very tall set of orders I’d have thought. But then, to head up a government seeking to advance any degree of social democracy in this day and age, after some decades of liberal economic prescriptions and social policies scourging a country…well, it’s bound to be a tall order. The good news is that it will get eaasier as the centre continues to come under pressure and collapse. And I guess that might be party why AMLO, in the day before his inauguration said the following of Jeremy Corbyn –

Those from Latin America, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, are our brothers and now the English people will have the opportunity – I hope, I want it with all my heart, with all my soul – to have a prime minister like Corbyn, I don’t know what the laws are, I’m not yet formally the president of Mexico, I won’t be the constitutional president until tomorrow, that’s why I dare to say these things. From tomorrow I have to put a limit on myself but now I say what I think and I have always said what I think,

Did I mention he turned up to his inauguration in a normal car (a volkswagon sedan), is selling the Presidential jet and won’t be residing in the Presidential Palace? I like that kind of shit.

23 comments on ““For the good of all, the poor come first.” ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Wayne 1
    3 December 2018 at 1:42 pm

    He won’t roll back the key elements of “neo-liberalism” which are essentially free trade, moderate tax rates, floating exchange rate, and most parts of the economy privately owned.

    Naturally he will moderate some of these things, but he will not be so foolish as to turn his country into Venezuela. That would imply exchange control, high tariffs, nationalisation, among other state controls.

    • francesca 1.1
      3 December 2018 at 6:37 pm

      Actually Wayne , it would imply sanctions at the earliest opportunity from the US and support for the right wing opposition

      • Wayne 1.1.1
        4 December 2018 at 7:07 am

        francesca,

        Only if the measures breached WTO or nationalised US company assets without compensation would the US act. It is the latter which is the the basis of the Cuba sanctions. Cuba has never offered to pay compensation to the US companies. If they did, the basis of the sanctions would disappear.

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 1.2
      4 December 2018 at 11:27 am

      “He won’t roll back the key elements of “neo-liberalism” which are essentially free trade, moderate low tax rates for the wealthy, floating exchange rate, and most parts of the economy privately owned by a small number of very wealthy individuals, degraded public services, low wages, insecurity and low pay for workers, an economy distorted by the financial sector, and deregulation that favours the interests of the rich over the majority and over the environment.”

      FIFY

  2. Dennis Frank 2
    3 December 2018 at 1:43 pm

    Yes, it shows he intends to be a genuine innovator. I wonder to what extent he has entrenched establishment opposing him in that. Definitely a promising start, as I reported on OM yesterday (#9). Launching that new trade agreement with Trump & Trudeau proves he can co-create consensus across the political spectrum.

    Funny thing is, of course, it also proves the same of Trump! Expect a portion of readers to head straight into denial. Without passing go or collecting $200…

    • Bill 2.1
      3 December 2018 at 1:53 pm

      Launching that new trade agreement with…

      The NAFTA thing (USMCA) was signed off by his predecessor Enrique Peña Nieto.

      • Dennis Frank 2.1.1
        3 December 2018 at 2:48 pm

        Okay, but it does still make it a consensual thing, eh? Inasmuch as he isn’t rejecting it, he’s accepting it. “Mexico’s first leftist president in seven decades” according to the BBC.

        “Foreign dignitaries including US Vice-President Mike Pence, first daughter Ivanka Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro attended the inauguration”. Perhaps, in a quiet moment, Maduro offered to explain the perils of the socialist path.

        Obrador’s austerity policy has started with “cutting his own salary by 60%.” A powerful signal to send – presumably without actually uttering austerity. Could be deemed a naughty word.

        “He promised that he would “never seek re-election” and more surprisingly, announced his intention to promote a recall referendum during his administration, allowing voters to remove an elected official through a direct vote.” I remember serious discussions of doing so here in the aftermath of rogernomics.

        “President López Obrador has signed an agreement with three Central American counterparts to create a plan to stem the flow of migrants seeking asylum in the US, the Associated Press reported.” Those migrants will be ever so pissed off: the US is the only place they can be exploited by capitalists and ruled by Trump simultaneously. A combined aroma like the ambrosia of heaven…

  3. Draco T Bastard 3
    3 December 2018 at 2:13 pm

    Meanwhile he is seeking to convince the US and Canada that they should help fund economic development in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador as a way to stem the flows of people seeking to escape the poverty of those countries. It’s a tall order, reportedly involving the injection of some $20 billion.

    That’s just reinforcing the failure of the present system. He’d be much better off creating the money and spending it to develop those areas using local resources and people. The US and Canada would only do anything there if the corporations could make an ongoing profit which will end up hurting Mexico as foreign ‘investment’ always hurts.

    A very tall set of orders I’d have thought.

    It’s pretty much a contradictory set of orders. He’s trying to appease the capitalists while putting in place actual development that will benefit Mexicans.

    Did I mention he turned up to his inauguration in a normal car (a volkswagon sedan), is selling the Presidential jet and won’t be residing in the Presidential Palace?

    Turning up in a Volkswagen just tells us that he wasn’t working on his way there. That’s what limousines are for – allowing those being chauffeured to work.

    Getting rid of the presidential plane could be good – or it could be the death of hundreds of innocents if someone decides that shooting down the plane with the president in it is a viable way to get rid of him. If this guy’s as socialist as you think he is then it’s likely that someone will.

    And the presidential palace is an administration hub. The president is at work and on call 24/7 so having him close is probably a good idea. Yes, it means that he’ll be living in luxury but considering that he and his family will no longer be living a normal life I think even that would be fair compensation for his sacrifice.

    The symbolism works but the practicalities don’t.

  4. Cinny 4
    3 December 2018 at 2:22 pm

    Woot Woot !!! Good stuff Bill.

    It’s really interesting how the media etc are responding and the narratives that are spinning.

    Very exciting for Mexico. If bolsonaro is the tropical trump then Lopez is like the Bernie Sanders of Latin America 🙂

    The business sector over there is a little bit nervous, but that made me reflect of the same when our coalition government came into power. Had to smile. Don’t worry Mexico, it’s going to be all good,

    Was thinking if he is very left, maybe he will follow a legal drugs model, and just tax them all, less murder, corruption and crime, because sadly that country is absolutely riddled with it.

    Am yet to check out all the links in your post, but here’s one from Al Jazeera

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QnlzbABHnY

    • Bill 4.1
      3 December 2018 at 3:26 pm

      I don’t think drug policy was mentioned in any of the links I provided, but yeah, you’d think it would be fairly up there in terms of things to work on/around.

    • Bill 4.2
      3 December 2018 at 3:36 pm

      Speaking to reporters in Tlaxcala on Sep. 25, AMLO applauded former President Ernesto Zedillo’s recent statement that his hardline anti-drug policy had been a mistake. Zedillo’s admission came as he and other former heads of state presented recommendations to the incoming administration that include the regulation, rather than prohibition, of some drugs.

      AMLO’s response fueled belief, based on comments from incoming administration officials, that he will seek at least to decriminalize marijuana and some poppy cultivation early in his term.

      https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/amlo-update-legalization-debate

      And…well, every time I try to cut and paste, it changes from English to Spanish! Here’s the link.

      http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english/sanchez-cordero-amlo-will-consult-the-un-drug-decriminalization

      • Cinny 4.2.1
        3 December 2018 at 7:41 pm

        Muchas gracias mi amigo. Esto es bueno 🙂

        Thanks for that info and links Bill, will be super interesting watching Mexico evolve and change. Especially re ‘drugs’.

  5. Ad 5
    3 December 2018 at 2:31 pm

    It was a good signal to shut down Slim’s airport.

    Hope he continues that kind of fortitude against the monopolists.

  6. Poission 6
    3 December 2018 at 2:31 pm

    He signed an agreement with other central American countries to limit migration.

    https://www.dw.com/en/mexico-latin-neighbors-sign-deal-to-stop-emigration-rush/a-46542879

    • Bill 6.1
      3 December 2018 at 3:08 pm

      Two paragraphs, three links and a quote covering that off in the post. You did read the post before commenting, yes?

  7. joe90 7
    3 December 2018 at 6:37 pm

    The aircraft López Obrador would like to sell, complete with fireplace.

    https://mashable.com/2016/01/15/mexican-president-plane/#ev9BzF2D.aqp

  8. gsays 8
    3 December 2018 at 8:57 pm

    Thanks for this post Bill. A bright light there in South America.

    Being December and all, just want to say I appreciate your angle on things, the links you provide and your mahi on TS.
    Always something to consider.

    More power to your arm.

    Aroha to you and yours.

  9. Adrian Thornton 9
    3 December 2018 at 9:05 pm

    Excellent news, thanks for this piece Bill, it had slipped under my radar for some reason, will definitely keep a close watch on developments going forward.

    As far as media response goes, well we all know what biased bullshit that will be, don’t know if you caught this study re; BBC/Venezuela, but it makes for some pretty grim but unfortunately not unsurprising reading…

    “A Decade of Propaganda? The BBC’s Reporting of Venezuela.”
    https://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/5003

  10. Redlion Seratus 10
    3 December 2018 at 9:54 pm

    A socialist knife cutting through the neoliberal shite.. no doubt.Great post

  11. Redlion Seratus 11
    3 December 2018 at 9:57 pm

    & additionally I put a prominent unions’ flag at half mast on my pole the day Chavez died.

  12. cleangreen 12
    4 December 2018 at 10:51 am

    Bill,,

    Will the Tax Working Group actually address our own well being and inequality?

    No; – they wont. nor will they repair all the damages NZ suffered since 2008 with all the asset stripping and privatisation.

    With ‘MC Scrooge’ in charge of our public purse we cannot expect a ‘awakening of our past egalitarian society’ any time soon sadly as he should have used the “reserve bank act” to make Government’s own funding available for our massive funding for repairing the damages of the previous nine years of rort and slash and sale of our assets during the John Key years.

    They should have followed what NZ Labour did during the first global depression under Michael Joseph Save in 1935 he used the Reserve Bank Act to fund social changes and enrich New Zealanders wealth and health and so should we now.

    https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/michael-joseph-savage-1935

    “The key election issue was the Social Security Bill, the embodiment of Savage’s welfare vision for New Zealand. This comprehensive policy of looking after New Zealanders from the ‘cradle to the grave’ helped ensure a comfortable Labour victory.”

  13. UncookedSelachimorpha 13
    4 December 2018 at 11:32 am

    Amlo sounds very promising – hope it goes well for Mexico!

    “For the good of all, the poor come first” – is a stunning statement.

    Thanks for the post Bill.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-24T02:36:00+00:00