Good one Bill II

Written By: - Date published: 8:19 am, December 19th, 2008 - 35 comments
Categories: bill english, economy - Tags:

It’s good to see Bill English acknowledge the last government has left New Zealand in a good position to face the economic crisis.

The only shame is that he’s using that position to throw money at people who are more likely to pay down debt and increase savings than engage in stimulatory spending.

35 comments on “Good one Bill II ”

  1. Bill 1

    And he stated that the government ‘wouldn’t let’ debt escalate to 30 odd % of gdp. Can that mean anything other than asset sales and ‘user pays’ policies? Just asking.

  2. vto 2

    I have a terrible sense of foreboding…

    What’s the bet that in six months these books will be another factor worse again.

    what a fukka

  3. Ray 3

    So, are the rumours true!!
    Or is there an innocent explanation

    [lprent: What are you talking about? That Bill is screwing the economy because of his bosses promises? Some clarity in your writing would help]

  4. George 4

    [lprent: pathetic threadjacking]

  5. higherstandard 5

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  6. ieuan 6

    I can’t believe that you wrote:

    ‘The only shame is that he’s using that position to throw money at people who are more likely to pay down debt and increase savings than engage in stimulatory spending.’

    What planet are you on?? Not paying off debt and saving is how the US (and the rest of the world) got into this financial mess to start with!

    And the money that he is ‘throwing’ is actually the money of the people to start with (assuming that you are talking about tax cuts) the government is just taking a little less of it.

  7. George 7

    Ummmm not really, it was just some subtle humour. you shouldn’t be so quick to swing the banhammer. it makes it look like there is something funny going on.

    [Tane: No George, we’re just sick of having half a dozen Kiwiblog trolls trying to jack every thread accusing us of stealing wine.]

  8. IrishBill 8

    ieuan, National are claiming the cuts are stimulatory. They will be, but a lot less so than a differently weighted tax package would be.

    However, paying off debt and saving is a good idea. We should have been doing it during the boom. As Cullen did. But a recession is no time to tighten the belt.

  9. George 9

    who said you stole the wine Tane? i never accused you, or any other blogger on this site personally? i named the guy, and made a joke about it.

    [Tane: Other commenters have. Perhaps you were reasonably innocent and got caught in the crossfire, but I’m not going to put with threadjacking and false accusations.]

  10. Chris S 10

    ieuan, simply, the credit crunch “caused” the current economic problems.

    Credit is freeing up and banks are being propped up to eat the bad debt, now we are dealing with the fact that most major countries are in, or heading towards, a recession.

    National’s tax cuts are an example in trickle-down (get the rich spending and the working class will do better due to economy stimulation) theory that’s failed so many times before. The expectation that the tax-cuts will be spent is quite possibly wrong, as people pay off their mortgage or credit card instead.

    Some will be spent or invested, sure, but as much that would otherwise be spent by the government? Probably not.

  11. Django 11

    Tane you have to admit that not posting to the theft topic that is pervading the media appears strange at least and partisan at worst.

    Try having a go, break with Standard tradition and mention the elephant in the room. 😉

  12. Chris S 12

    Django, a few staffers for the Labour MPs got caught pinching booze. What the hell do you want him to say? “Stealing is bad”?

    What does that have to do with a blog that concerns itself with the labour movement?

    Not a lot.

  13. ieuan 13

    Chris S: I agree that the trickle down theory does not work however it is a stretch to call the tax-cuts for the ‘rich’.

    The tax cuts are across the board with a great chunk of the cuts aimed at middle income earners, they are hardly just for the ‘rich’ (of course that depends on your definition of ‘rich’ which on this site seems be anyone earning over $20K per year).

    You also fail to mention the other major stimulus that is being applied to the economy which is lower interest rates. This has a major effect on stimulating the housing market with flow on jobs in the building sector as well as freeing up money as people re-fix their mortgages. For those who do not own property there will be less pressure on rent rises as the cost of the property has reduced, again easing the burden a little and freeing up a little more money to help stimulate the economy.

  14. Tane 14

    Django, I don’t usually indulge trolls, but Chris S got me thinking. How’s this:

    “Stealing is bad. While there are sometimes circumstances where stealing can be defended, nicking wine from the press gallery after they’ve thrown you a party is not one of them. It was also incredibly politically stupid. The Standard does not condone stealing, particularly when it involves the theft of press gallery wine by Labour staffers.”

    Right, now that’s sorted and the Kiwiblog trolls hopefully satisfied, let’s get away from the beltway gossip and onto some topics of substance.

  15. gingercrush 15

    Topics of substance in the silly season? No way.

  16. Chris S 16

    As you well know, interest rates are not a matter of the governments fiscal policy.

    Lowering interest rates will gradually affect the economy as people have their mortgages re-fixed.

  17. Django 17

    Chris S.

    I would have thought that to mention this event of Labour party staffers was appropriate – even if it was simply to inject humour or balance.

    TheStandard could always try something that is sorrily missing from this blog. Humour. There is nothing like a bit of self-deprecation, if they tried it they would how us they are beginning to mature both as bloggers and as human beings

  18. Django 18

    Tane,

    Blogged above before I saw your response.

    Fair enough commentary – but it deserved it’s own thread. Getting in first is always a good look.

  19. ieuan 19

    Your right Django, humour is sadly lacking on this site. I imagine that Tane, SP, Iprent, IrishBill etc do know how to have the occasional laugh.

    Imagine Christmas at your average hard left unionists house, everyone would swap one of those ‘give a goat’ presents from Oxfam followed by a lecture on the evils of capitalism.

  20. George 20

    Thanks Tane, good post, even if stealing in my view is never defensible. but anyway.

    ieuan, thats classic.

  21. Tane 21

    George, I was thinking more ‘starving man taking bread for his family’. But that’s a debate for another time.

  22. Tane 22

    Django, we write on a voluntary basis on issues we feel like if and when we have the time. And as it turns out SP mentioned it in his press gallery party post anyway. There’s plenty of self-deprecating humour on this site if you pay attention, but we have a very low tolerance for people falsely accusing us of committing crimes.

  23. Django 23

    Fair enough, but any blog that promotes Labour must make sure it tries to be even-handed on issues that involve criminal activity. A lot of sensitivity out there over the whole sneaking around and stealing emails, spying etc under Labour’s reign.

  24. Tane 24

    Django, we stand for the values of the broad labour movement (notice the small l). Many of us don’t even vote Labour. It’s not up to us to defend the actions of Labour or its staffers, and nor should we have to tolerate potentially defamatory accusations from the Kiwiblog Right.

    [lprent: If they are too idiotic to bother reading the About before slinging accusations, then just ban them for Darwinian reasons (it improves the population)]

  25. George 25

    Ahh, Biblical Tane. I would have to agree with you as long as it’s last resort, but your right, another time. Django has a good point though, stealing was condoned by the left when the end result was good for them. we didn’t see too much condemnation from the broad labour movement on that issue. and if im wrong please prove me so.

  26. Django 26

    Right, we’ve cleared that up then you stand for labour not the Labour Party of New Zealand.

    I’ll be calling you on that just so as you know. 🙂

  27. Tane 27

    Bro, it’s in the About. We’ve frequently been critical of Labour over labour issues.

  28. Tane 28

    George, I don’t know what theft you’re talking about. If you’re referring to the pledge card issue, which ensnared nearly every party in Parliament including National then you’ll find there was indeed criticism of Labour from the labour movement.

  29. Django 29

    maybe George is thinking about the non-investigation of the theft of Dr Brash’s emails Tane. You know the edited and non-contextual private correspondence that was turned into a book, a play and a movie, and are still much quoted by the small “l” labour movement in all it’s guises. You know the those stolen emails that were ‘received’ by Clark (the famous Labourite with a large “l”) and her mate Peters the collaborator with a big “C”.

  30. Tane 30

    As I understand it Django the police found no evidence of theft. Occam’s razor says it was an inside job. God knows they have enough leaks.

  31. Pascal's bookie 31

    Maybe Dj was using that self depreciating humour he tells us he’s fond of Tane…

    though it’s hard to tell when righties are being deliberatly funny

  32. George 32

    Thanks Django, I wasn’t referring to the pledgecard episode, which will forever remain one of the darkest moments in NZ political history as it sparked of the fiasco that is the EFA.

    i was referring to emails stolen from Dr Brash, and also of course the $1000 a month that the Hon. Roger Douglas found had been pinched from the average NZ household over the last nine years.

    [lprent: The DisHon Roger surely? ]

  33. Ianmac 33

    George, Django: Always enjoy your satirical comments. Laugh out loud!!! Real hoot. Sort of comments I would hear from Fred Dagg.
    “Ah gidday. Just thought I would mention some real dark stuff. My mate Trev, ah are you there Trev? My mate Trev found some sheep dung scattered on the ground near the farm gate and hello says Trev. A serious crime has been committed here……”

  34. George 34

    Lprent, no the Honourable. He is a member of parliament and we must respect that, i would do the same for Dr. Cullen or (shudder) Sue Bradford.

    Ianmac, while i don’t know what on earth your trying to insinuate, im glad you find my comments amusing.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • 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 days 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
    2 days 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
    3 days 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
    3 days 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
    3 days 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
    3 days 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    6 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
  • Opinion: It’s time for an arts and creative sector strategy
    I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-26T04:54:51+00:00