Guest Post: Dancing to the Neo-Liberal Songbook
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10:19 am, May 23rd, 2016 - 25 comments
Categories: capitalism, class war, Deep stuff, democracy under attack, Economy, Politics, Privatisation, Unions -
Tags: neo-liberalism, noam chomsky, requiem for the american dream
Reflections on Noam Chomsky’s ‘Requiem for the American Dream.’
A Guest Post by Tony Veitch.
In his powerful 2015 documentary, Requiem for the American Dream, Noam Chomsky delineates 10 principles that motivate the Neo Liberals in the United States and, indeed, all over the world. These principles echo Adam Smith’s warning in The Wealth of Nations, where he wrote:
“… all for ourselves and nothing for other people, seems, in every age of the world, to have been the vile maxim of the masters of mankind.”
It seems to me, while watching the film, that we have seen ample evidence of the vile maxim since the 1980s. Most, if not all of these principles, have been applied by the neo-libs in New Zealand over the last 30 or so years. Many people have commented on how we have become a mean, self-centred society. This is how that neo-liberal aim has been achieved:
1. Reduce Democracy
Nearly a million New Zealanders didn’t bother to vote in the last general election. People feel disenfranchised and powerless, as if their single vote cannot make any difference. And, always, a low voter turnout favours the right. The right want a passive, disillusioned and accepting population; passionate about rugby and cricket and Lotto, but indifferent to the plight of the homeless or the inequalities in our society.
The left needs to have feet on the ground next election, door knocking and reminding people of their democratic rights and their democratic obligations.
2. Shape Ideology
To my mind this ties in with the first principle. We have been fed the mantra (or the myth) that the the free market model is the ideal, that business knows best. Yet business, being a hierarchical model, is actually inimical to democracy, or the participatory ideal. We have been subtly fed anti-democratic ideas by successive governments since the 1980s. However, business, as is so often proved, does not always know best.
3. Redesign the Economy
Jane Kelsey termed the New Zealand economic model the FIRE economy. Finance, insurance and real estate. This, coupled with the off-shoring of jobs, has transformed our economy in the last 30 years, to the extent that it is hardly the same country I grew up in.
Everything now is expressed in terms of cost, but little attention is paid to value in a social sense. Real wages have not increased in proportion to productivity and worker insecurity has been deliberately increased because it keeps the lid on workers’ wages. Capital is free to move in search of better returns; labour is not so easily moved.
4. Shift the Burden
GST, perhaps more than any other tax, shifts the burden from the wealthy to the poor. Coupled with tax cuts for the top earners, and the fact that corporates Apple and Compass can effectively pay little or no tax, this puts the burden for social amenities on the precariat.
5. Attack Solidarity
The vile maxim again. We have also seen a vilifying of the ‘losers’ on various forms of welfare, which is an attack on the solidarity of society. Government services have been systematically defunded, which largely hurts the poor most. Defunding also leads to calls for privatisation, because the last big untapped reservoir of income for corporates is the government tax take. So, looking at it this way, charter schools, for example, are just a form of corporate welfare.
6. Run the Regulators
Crony capitalism. National, ACT and Labour ex-MPs being given sinecures in organisations whose task it is to lobby government to secure corporate welfare and turn a blind eye when regulations are ignored or transgressed. A good recent example is the fishing industry.
The market prevails for the poor, but the rich have quite another set of rules.
7. Engineer Elections
Corporate donors mean National has much more money to employ focus groups and spend on shaping policy. In fact, corporates are influencing and interfering in the democratic process of this country. And do they expect a payback? Of course they do and the recent Scenic Hotels scandal is a classic example.
Where elections cannot engineered, simply remove the democratic mandate, as National have done with Canterbury’s ECan.
8. Keep the Rabble in Line
One of the most pervasive actions of the neo-libs has been their sustained attack on the union movement in this country. From a peak membership of about 48% in the 80’s, the movement has declined to about 16% in 2014. There is a direct correlation between social equality and high union membership. We feel uncomfortable in New Zealand talking about class, but, make no mistake, the wealthy have been engaged in class warfare for the last 30 years.
9. Manufacture Consent
I can recall Peter Ustinov (I think) quipping that he came to New Zealand in the 1960s, arriving on a Sunday, found the country was closed, so went home again. Now we have become a consumer society, where retail chains demand the ‘right’ to open over Easter and until midnight before Christmas. We have been trained by the PR, marketing and advertising industry to focus on the superficial things in life. Extend the ‘buy, buy, buy,’ without serious thought about need, to the general elections and you get voters motivated by greed and fear rather than by a rational discussion of the issues.
10. Marginalise the population
The vile maxim again. Divide and conquer. Demonise large sections of the people, the poor, the ‘bludgers’, the different, while lauding those few who are successful.
Looking at the principles Chomsky has identified, it’s easy to see the blueprint in operation in New Zealand. The documentary is available on Netflix and online. It’s well worth your time to watch it, because it will show you that those things you always suspected were going on really are going on. It’s not random, it’s not coincidence. It’s part of a plan.
To end, a quote from Noam Chomsky:
“There are . . . serious flaws in our society . . . which are going to have to be corrected by operating outside the framework of what is commonly accepted.”
If that is not a call for civil disobedience on a massive scale . . . well, I don’t know what is!
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- Grant Robertson: Speech to the Labour Party Congress 2023Welcome to sunny and calm Wellington, which I know those of you who are visiting would of course expect to be the case. It’s been a busy week since we put forward the 2023 Budget. Labour MPs have been out across the motu giving the good oil on the Budget. ...5 days ago
- Carmel Sepuloni: Speech to the Labour Party Congress 2023Kia orana, Talofa lava, Mālo e lelei, Taloha ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Noa’ia e mauri, Ni sa bula vinaka, Kia ora, Tena Koutou Katoa. Labour Party President Jill Day, Prime Minister Hipkins, Party faithful, delegates and comrades, whānau and friends, it’s a privilege to be here today. I begin my ...5 days ago
- Kelvin Davis: Speech to the Labour Party Congress 2023One of my kaumātua up North stood before the Waitangi Tribunal and said: ‘He aha kē ahau, te tangata kore hara i mua i te Atua, e tu nei kia whakawaatia e koe, te tangata tāhae, te tangata hara, te tangata kore tikanga? Ko koe kē te tika, kia tū ...5 days ago
- W.H.O. Director General Seeking Powers To Override Sovereign StatesNew Zealanders will be highly concerned that the World Health Organisation proposes to effectively take control of independent decision making away from sovereign countries and place control with the Director General. W.H.O International Health Regulations on future outbreaks of disease aim to give the Director General extraordinary and wide-sweeping powers. ...7 days ago
- We don’t need to engineer a recession, Government can tax wealthThe Green Party is calling on the Government to take responsibility for reducing inflation by taxing wealth instead of leaving RBNZ to continue hiking the Official Cash Rate. ...1 week ago
- Enough posturing, let’s get on and build enough public housingThe Green Party is urging the Government to take its own advice and come up with a long-term plan to build thousands more public homes. ...1 week ago
- Green Party unveils its list for the 2023 electionThe Green Party has released its list of candidates for the 2023 election. With a mix of familiar faces, fresh new talent, and strong tangata whenua voices, this exceptional group of candidates are ready to set the direction of the next Government. ...2 weeks ago
- Beyond the Farm Gate Lurks SeparatismThank you for your invitation to be here, after yesterday's budget, and for the opportunity to talk with you. In the economic and social turmoil following the arrival of COVID 19 in New Zealand many concerns emerged. How would we keep our economy going and maintain our exports which are ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2023: More cost of living supportAt the heart of Budget 2023 is a cost of living package, designed to ease the pressure on New Zealanders in the face of global inflation and the challenges of rebuilding from extreme weather events. It provides practical cost of living relief across some of the core expenses facing Kiwis ...2 weeks ago
- Highlights of Budget 2023Budget 2023 delivers practical cost of living support for New Zealanders today and makes targeted investments to build a better future. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens welcome much needed investment but Labour can go further for Te Ao Māori & Pasifika in t...Today the Green Party’s Te Mātāwaka (Māori and Pasifika) caucus supported the 2023 Budget, but there’s still room for improvement. ...2 weeks ago
- Free prescriptions important step forwardThe Green Party is today welcoming free prescriptions. ...2 weeks ago
- Long-term commitment needed on public housingBudget 2023’s investment in public housing falls short of what’s needed. ...2 weeks ago
- ECE extension Green win nearly 10 years in the makingThe Green Party is today celebrating Budget 2023 funding extending free ECE to two year olds. ...2 weeks ago
- Green initiative addresses both climate and inequalityA long standing Green Party policy has been extended yet again in this year’s Budget. This will deliver warmer homes for thousands of people, lower power bills, and cut climate pollution. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens on board with more affordable buses and trainsThe Green Party is fully on board with free bus and train travel for under 12s and half price travel for under 25s - next stop, free travel for all under 18s, students, and apprentices. ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2023 falls short of what’s neededToday’s Budget makes good progress on climate and inequality, but falls short of what’s needed to fix both. ...2 weeks ago
- Forestry sector must compensate for slash damageThe Green Party welcomes today’s release of the report of the Ministerial Inquiry into slash and sediment, and are clear that the forestry industry must foot more of the bill. ...3 weeks ago
- Winston Peters – why mess with the magic of the monarchy?When Chris Hipkins appeared on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he described himself as a “technical republican”. At least it was clearer than when he stumbled over what a woman is. In the blue corner, the other “Chris” said, “New Zealand will become a republic, eventually.” Of course, they both supported ...3 weeks ago
- Govt must break up supermarketsThe Government needs to do much more to address supermarket profiteering, which is driving high food prices. ...3 weeks ago
- Grant Robertson: Pre-Budget speech to BNZ business breakfastThis morning, the Minister of Finance Grant Robertson delivered a pre-Budget speech in Auckland. ...3 weeks ago
- Government drives $2 billion of business research and development
The Government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive has supported more than $2 billion of New Zealand business innovation – an increase of around $1 billion in less than nine months. "Research and innovation are essential in helping us meet the biggest challenges and seize opportunities facing New Zealand. It’s fantastic ...18 hours ago - Achieving lift off: National Space Policy launchedThe next ‘giant leap’ in New Zealand’s space journey has been taken today with the launch of the National Space Policy, Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds announced. “Our space sector is growing rapidly. Each year New Zealand is becoming a more and more attractive place for launches, manufacturing space-related technology ...21 hours ago
- New science and creative technologies wharekura announcedA new Year 7-13 designated character wharekura will be built in Pāpāmoa, Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis has announced. The wharekura will focus on science, mathematics and creative technologies while connecting ākonga to the whakapapa of the area. The decision follows an application by the Ngā Pōtiki ā Tamapahore ...23 hours ago
- Freedom Camping changes a win for the environmentProtecting the environment by establishing a stronger, more consistent system for freedom camping Supporting councils to better manage freedom camping in their region and reduce the financial and social impacts on communities Ensuring that self-contained vehicle owners have time to prepare for the new system The Self-Contained Motor Vehicle ...24 hours ago
- Speeding up the family court, reducing stress on familiesA new law passed last night could see up to 25 percent of Family Court judges’ workload freed up in order to reduce delays, Minister of Justice Kiri Allan said. The Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill will establish a new role known as the Family Court Associate. The ...1 day ago
- UK FTA delivers benefits from todayNew Zealand businesses will begin reaping the rewards of our gold-standard free trade agreement with the United Kingdom (UK FTA) from today. “The New Zealand UK FTA enters into force from today, and is one of the seven new or upgraded Free Trade Agreements negotiated by Labour to date,” Prime ...1 day ago
- Next steps to reform outdated surrogacy lawThe Government will reform outdated surrogacy laws to improve the experiences of children, surrogates, and the growing number of families formed through surrogacy, by adopting Labour MP Tāmati Coffey’s Member’s Bill as a Government Bill, Minister Kiri Allan has announced. “Surrogacy has become an established method of forming a family ...2 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend Shangri-La DialogueDefence Minister Andrew Little departs for Singapore tomorrow to attend the 20th annual Shangri-La Dialogue for Defence Ministers from the Indo-Pacific region. “Shangri-La brings together many countries to speak frankly and express views about defence issues that could affect us all,” Andrew Little said. “New Zealand is a long-standing participant ...2 days ago
- New Zealand–China science relationship affirmedResearch, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall and the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang met in Wellington today and affirmed the two countries’ long-standing science relationship. Minister Wang was in New Zealand for the 6th New Zealand-China Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation. Following ...2 days ago
- Supporting a strong future for screen sector5 percent uplift clearer and simpler to navigate Domestic productions can access more funding sources 20 percent rebate confirmed for post-production, digital and visual effects Qualifying expenditure for post-production, digital and visual effects rebate dropped to $250,000 to encourage more smaller productions The Government is making it easier for the ...2 days ago
- Minister Sepuloni to attend 61st Anniversary of Samoa’s IndependenceDeputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Carmel Sepuloni will represent New Zealand at Samoa’s 61st Anniversary of Independence commemorations in Apia. “Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to share in this significant occasion, alongside other invited Pacific leaders, and congratulates Samoa on the milestone of 61 ...3 days ago
- Govt backs retailers with expansion of fog cannon programmeThe Government is continuing to support retailers with additional funding for the highly popular Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme, Police and Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen announced today. “The Government is committed to improving retailers’ safety,” Ginny Andersen said. “I’ve seen first-hand the difference fog cannons are making. Not only do ...3 days ago
- Government will consider recommendations of Intelligence and Security Act reviewThe Government has received the first independent review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says. The review, considered by the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, was presented to the House of Representatives today. “Ensuring the safety and security of New Zealanders is of the utmost ...3 days ago
- Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Sui’ilikutapuPrime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...3 days ago
- Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Siu’ilikutapuPrime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...3 days ago
- Security support to Solomon Islands extendedDefence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have today announced the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployment to Solomon Islands, as part of the regionally-led Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF). “Aotearoa New Zealand has a long history of working alongside the Royal Solomon ...3 days ago
- Minister Mahuta to attend the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ SummitForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to the Republic of Korea today to attend the Korea–Pacific Leaders’ Summit in Seoul and Busan. “Korea is an important partner for Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region. I am eager for the opportunity to meet and discuss issues that matter to our ...4 days ago
- Agreement between Indo-Pacific partners for supply chain resilienceTrade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA today to announce substantial conclusion of negotiations of a new regional supply chains agreement among 14 Indo-Pacific countries. The Supply Chains agreement is one of four pillars being negotiated within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework ...4 days ago
- Celebrating Samoa Language Week 2023Our most spoken Pacific language is taking centre stage this week with Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week kicking off around the country. “Understanding and using the Samoan language across our nation is vital to its survival,” Barbara Edmonds said. “The Samoan population in New Zealand are ...4 days ago
- Nationwide test of Emergency Mobile Alert systemOver 90 per cent of New Zealanders are expected to receive this year’s nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system tonight between 6-7pm. “Emergency Mobile Alert is a tool that can alert people when their life, health, or property, is in danger,” Kieran McAnulty said. “The annual nationwide test ...4 days ago
- Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of SettlementENGLISH: Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of Settlement A Deed of Settlement has been signed between Whakatōhea and the Crown, 183 years to the day since Whakatōhea rangatira signed the Treaty of Waitangi, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little has announced. Whakatōhea is an iwi based in ...5 days ago
- New Chair appointed to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCOElizabeth Longworth has been appointed as the Chair of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, Associate Minister of Education Jo Luxton announced today. UNESCO is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting cooperative action among member states in the areas of education, science, culture, social science (including peace and ...6 days ago
- Tourism transformation starts with peopleTourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...6 days ago
- Tourism transformation starts with peopleTourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...6 days ago
- Te ao Māori health services cheaper and more accessible for whānauGreater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...6 days ago
- Te ao Māori health services more accessible for whānauGreater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...6 days ago
- Government’s work for survivors of abuse in care continuesThe Government continues progress on the survivor-led independent redress system for historic abuse in care, with the announcement of the design and advisory group members today. “The main recommendation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Abuse in Care interim redress report was for a survivor-led independent redress system, and the ...6 days ago
- Humanitarian support for the Horn of AfricaAotearoa New Zealand is providing NZ$7.75 million to respond to urgent humanitarian needs in the Horn of Africa, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. The Horn of Africa is experiencing its most severe drought in decades, with five consecutive failed rainy seasons. At least 43.3 million people require lifesaving and ...7 days ago
- Two brand new mental health facilities opened in ChristchurchHealth Minister Ayesha Verrall has opened two new state-of-the-art mental health facilities at the Christchurch Hillmorton Hospital campus, as the Government ramps up its efforts to build a modern fit for purpose mental health system. The buildings, costing $81.8 million, are one of 16 capital projects the Government has funded ...7 days ago
- Government invests more than $24 million in regional projectsThe Government is continuing to invest in our regional economies by announcing another $24 million worth of investment into ten diverse projects, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says. “Our regions are the backbone of our economy and today’s announcement continues to build on the Government’s investment to boost regional economic ...7 days ago
- Budget 23 supports the growth of Māori tourismAn $8 million boost to New Zealand Māori Tourism will help operators insulate themselves for the future. Spread over the next four years, the investment acknowledges the on-going challenges faced by the industry and the significant contribution Māori make to tourism in Aotearoa. It builds on the $15 million invested ...7 days ago
- First Bushmasters ready to rollDefence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the first 18 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles for the New Zealand Army, alongside personnel at Trentham Military Camp today. “The arrival of the Bushmaster fleet represents a significant uplift in capability and protection for defence force personnel, and a milestone in ...7 days ago
- Humanitarian support for the people of SudanAotearoa New Zealand is providing NZ$3.5 million to help meet urgent humanitarian needs in Sudan, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. The severe fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has had devastating impacts for civilians. At least 705 people have been killed and 5,287 injured. ...1 week ago
- Clean-up at Hawkes Bay facility to help region deal with cyclone wasteRepairing a Hawke’s Bay organic composting facility devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle is among the latest waste reduction projects getting Government backing, Associate Environment Minister Rachel Brooking announced today. “Helping communities get back on their feet after the devastating weather that hit the northern parts of the country this year is ...1 week ago
- 8% pay boosts for GP & community nursesAbout 6,100 more GP, community nurses and kaiāwhina will be eligible for pay rises of 8% on average to reduce pay disparities with nurses in hospitals, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. The top up comes from a $200 million fund established to remove pay disparities between nurses ...1 week ago
- Govt turns the sod on new Jobs and Skills Hub for Hawke’s BayNew Jobs and Skills Hub to begin construction in Hawke’s Bay The Hub will support the building of $1.1billion worth of homes in the region and support Cyclone Gabrielle rebuild and recovery. Over 2,200 people have been supported into industry specific employment, apprenticeships and training, by these Hubs across NZ ...1 week ago
- Community Housing Aotearoa Conference SpeechTēnā koutou e nga maata waka. Kia koutou te mana whenua tēnā koutou Ngā mate huhua o te waa, haere, haere, haere atu ra. Hoki mai kia tātou te kanohi ora e tau nei, Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa. Tēnā koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te ...1 week ago
- New mental health tool launched for small business owner-operatorsThe Government has launched a new tool to help small business owner-operators manage and improve their mental wellbeing, Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen announced today. The Brave in Business e-Learning series is another tool the Government has delivered to support small businesses with their mental health and wellbeing. “A pandemic, ...1 week ago
- TAB partnership helps secure future of racing industryMinister for Racing Kieran McAnulty has announced the approval of a 25-year partnership between TAB NZ and UK betting company Entain that delivers at least $900 million in guaranteed funding for the racing industry over the next five years. Entain, a UK based group that operates multiple sports betting providers ...1 week ago
- Government project delivers more reliable and resilient water source to NorthlandThe Government has delivered the first of three significant water security projects in Northland, boosting regional business and climate resilience, with the opening of Matawii reservoir today, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced. A $68 million Government investment supported the construction of the reservoir, along with two other water storage ...1 week ago
- EDS Opposes Renewables Plan
EDS has lodged its submission on “ Strengthening National Direction on Renewable Electricity Generation and Electricity Transmission ”, a consultation document prepared by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment and the Ministry ...1 hour ago - Only ‘select’ media invited to council budget launch
Auckland’s mayor snubbed most journalists from a morning launch of his new budget. While the Herald was among a select few allowed in the room, reporters from outlets like Stuff weren’t sent an invitation. In a story headlined “Wayne Brown snubs Stuff readers on major Auckland Council budget update”, a ...1 hour ago - Gender And Ethnic Pay Gaps A Concern For Majority Of New Zealanders, Most Support Pay Transparency L...A nationwide poll on pay gaps shows nearly 2 out of every 3 New Zealanders consider pay gaps to be a ‘significant’ or ‘very significant’ issue (64%), with a similar number supporting new pay transparency policies to address the issue (63%). ...1 hour ago
- Help Me Hera: An acquaintance is in love with me and it’s making me uncomfortableI said we could still be friends but now I just want him to leave me alone. Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to [email protected] Dear Hera Towards the end of last year, I was surprised to see a university acquaintance from a different city – we’d had one tutorial together – at ...1 hour ago
- Wayne Brown’s budget proposal: Rates pegged to inflation, but airport shares must goWayne Brown’s proposed budget will see rates increases pegged to inflation – but it requires his desired sell-off of Auckland Airport shores. The mayor is presenting his budget in Auckland today. Few were invited to witness the moment live, with media like Stuff reportedly left out (The Spinoff was not ...1 hour ago
- Dunne's Weekly: Still Overpromising And UnderdeliveringWhen it was first unveiled, the government’s extension in this year’s Budget of 20 hours free early childhood education to 2-year-olds from next March was hailed as a masterstroke. The Minister of Finance said it would save qualifying households ...1 hour ago
- The Bulletin: Prescription fees remain a political battlegroundI didn’t know this but because we have reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom, visitors from those countries will not have to pay for prescriptions once the $5 fee is removed here in July. Naturally that means New Zealanders enjoy reciprocity in their experience of local health ...2 hours ago
- Why you'll be paying more interest on your mortgage – likely forever
Reserve Bank is researching whether interest rates will need to be pegged higher longterm ...2 hours ago - Have we got the brain all wrong? A new study shows its shape is more important than its wiring
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Pang, Research Fellow in Psychology, Monash University Shutterstock The human brain is made up of around 86 billion neurons, linked by trillions of connections. For decades, scientists have believed that we need to map this intricate connectivity in detail ...2 hours ago - In the 1800s, colonisers attempted to listen to First Nations people. It didn’t stop the massacresSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gapps, Historian and Conjoint Lecturer, University of Newcastle Benjamin Duterrau, The Conciliation 1840, oil on canvas. Purchased by the Friends of TMAG and the Board of Trustees, 1945. Collection: Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, AG79. Note of warning: This article ...2 hours ago
- I’m over 65 and worried about the flu. Which vaccine should I have?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena Plebanski, Professor of Immunology, RMIT University Philippe Leone/Unsplash Influenza, or the flu, is a virus transmitted by respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. It can cause the sudden onset of a fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle ...2 hours ago
- It’s not just climate – we’ve already breached most of the Earth’s limits. A safer, fairer f...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven J Lade, Resilience researcher at Australian National University, Australian National University Shutterstock People once believed the planet could always accommodate us. That the resilience of the Earth system meant nature would always provide. But we now know this is ...2 hours ago
- ‘An exciting possibility’: scientists discover markedly different kangaroos on either side of Au...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vera Weisbecker, Associate Professor, Flinders University Shutterstock Australia’s dingo fence is an internationally renowned mega-structure. Stretching more than 5,600 kilometres, it was completed in the 1950s to keep sheep safe from dingoes. But it also inadvertently protects some native ...2 hours ago
- Closing the First Nations employment gap will take 100 yearsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Reza M. Monem, Professor of Accounting, Griffith University In 2008 Australia’s federal, state and territory governments set the goal of halving the employment gap between First Nations Australians and others within a decade. That required, by 2018, lifting the employment rate for ...2 hours ago
- Making NZ’s tax system fairer is a good idea – but this proposed new law isn’t the answerSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Barrett, Associate Professor in Commercial Law and Taxation, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Getty Images It’s no secret that Revenue Minister David Parker has long been interested in tax reform in New Zealand. In 2022, he ...2 hours ago
- A kiss to detect wine on her breath: the violent policing of women drinking in Ancient RomeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lily Moore, PhD Candidate in Classics and Archaeology, The University of Melbourne A Woman Drinking, Andrea Mantegna. about 1495-1506 The National Gallery, London. The ancient Romans venerated wine. It was accessible to the masses, a fundamental staple of mainstream life ...2 hours ago
- Public ‘flying blind’ on Tarras proposal
Objectors continue to push for the canning of a mooted new Central Otago airport as the company pushing it buys the critical final piece of the site A Christchurch City Council committee has expressed concern about one of its subsidiary companies, Christchurch International Airport, pushing ahead with a proposed airport ...4 hours ago - India-NZ ties 'must move past cricket and curry'
The Govt has faced further calls to ramp up diplomatic relations with India. ...4 hours ago - The silver lining to the cost of living crisis? It’s easier to pay off your student loanWhile your grocery bills suggest otherwise, high inflation is not all bad news – especially if you’ve got a New Zealand student loan, Emma Vitz explains. High inflation sucks. The price of lettuce appears to be doubling every time you go to the supermarket. People who bought into the property ...5 hours ago
- All the books vying for the 2023 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young AdultsWelcome to the authors, illustrators and publishers on the shortlist for this year’s New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Books editor Claire Mabey offers her thoughts, alongside comments from student readers. It’s hard to write a great children’s book. The kind that will be reprinted and re-gifted ...5 hours ago
- National still taking bait from streetfighter Hipkins
National should have the confidence to come out from the shadows and more positively assert its own agenda ...5 hours ago - Time to get over the shock of the 'new'
It’s unclear why AI-generated images in advertising are more or less deceptive or ethically questionable than using models Opinion: There has been a recent furore about the use of AI-generated images featuring people used by the National Party in a political advertisement. My immediate reaction was that this was a storm in ...5 hours ago - How do zoos keep taonga safe?
When countries send their iconic and precious animals to be cared for overseas, who and what makes sure they're being cared for appropriately? A kiwi encounter at an American zoo has caused outrage, and raised questions about how our taonga species are treated when they go overseas. But Save the Kiwi ...5 hours ago - The ebb and flow of Auckland Council’s storm recovery costs
An adjusted estimate of flood recovery spend has saved Auckland Council $10m ...5 hours ago - Reform of post-sentence safety laws one step closer
The Law Commission is seeking public input ...5 hours ago - Book of the Week: An incident on Banks Peninsula
Paddy Richardson is swept away by a magical new novel I love novels that you fall into and languish, trusting that each word will be perfectly placed, that each action will be either consistent or surprising, that each character will be rounded and real. Fiona Farrell’s sumptuously written, ...5 hours ago - NZ's beef with critical US debt ceiling debate
Exporters are nervously watching today's critical Congress vote ...5 hours ago - Matchmaking by bankers
Why would – and how does – a bank get involved in dealing with private capital? In our final podcast in conjunction with BNZ, we meet a woman who introduces fledgling businesses with committed, long-term investors. Head of Private Capital, BNZ, Linda Sturgess tells Emile Donovan why paying it forward is a ...5 hours ago - Normalising Te ao Māori in the workplace key to dispelling whakamā
‘Kia kaha, kia māia, be brave and lean into it.' Newsroom speaks to Spark's Māori development lead Riki Hollings about what it means to be on a te ao Māori journey – and the best way to support that | Content Partnership Riki Hollings is a descendant of Ngāti Ranginui and Ngai ...5 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 1 June
Loading...(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...6 hours ago - Daily crossword, Thursday 1 June
...6 hours ago - After 24 hours of drama, Roger Cook becomes the next premier of Western AustraliaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martin Drum, Professor of Politics and International Relations, University of Notre Dame Australia With the withdrawal of his principal challengers and the implicit endorsement from key factions within the Labor party, Roger Cook will become Western Australia’s 31st premier. We can expect ...13 hours ago
- Word from The Hill: PwC scandal, McGowan quitting politics, PM’s trip to Singapore and high inflat...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As well as her interviews with politicians and experts, Politics with Michelle Grattan includes “Word from The Hill”, where she discusses the news with members of The Conversation’s politics team. In this podcast Michelle and ...15 hours ago
- It’s time to end Western Australia’s $4 billion-per-year GST bonusSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Breunig, Professor of Economics and Director, Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Shutterstock The Morrison government’s decision to give a special deal to Western Australia for the distribution of the income from the ...15 hours ago
- It’s time to end Western Australia’s $4 billion-per-year GST bonusSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Breunig, Professor of Economics and Director, Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Shutterstock The Morrison government’s decision to give a special deal to Western Australia for the distribution of the income from the ...15 hours ago
- Message Of Condolence For The Passing Of HRH Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu FotofiliHis Excellency Dr Davies and I wish to extend our deepest condolences to His Majesty King Tupou VI and the Tongan Royal Family following the recent passing of Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. Her Royal Highness committed her life to ...17 hours ago
- A sustainable Australia depends on what happens in our cities – that’s why we need a national ur...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Freestone, Professor of Planning, School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock Australia has not had a national urban policy since the Rudd government. A troika of Liberal PMs followed. Tony Abbott wasn’t interested. Malcolm Turnbull didn’t quite live up ...17 hours ago
- NZ comedy couple behind The Office AustraliaLocal comedy veteran couple Jackie Van Beek and Jesse Griffin’s next TV project has been revealed – and it’s an Australian version of the British-turned-American comedy institution The Office. The series, confirmed for 2024, will see David Brent and Michael Scott replaced by a female lead for the first time. ...17 hours ago
- Couples Therapy is NZ’s realest reality TVThree’s take on the overseas hit format is one of the year’s bravest shows, writes Chris Schulz. This is an excerpt from The Spinoff’s weekly Friday newsletter Rec Room. Sign up for regular instalments here. Emma wants Parrish to be more romantic. She doesn’t want to have to keep telling ...19 hours ago
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Wow! True colors and all that! Sad really!
Just so people know. The very first hyperlink, unlike the second, is a link to the actual film/doc.
And yes, it’s well worth the watch.
And thanks Tony for doing this post to provide a take in a New Zealand context.
GST is a hugely regressive tax, and everyone knew it when it was introduced by the neoliberals.
We now need a anti-neoliberal political party that is willing to scrap GST and replace it with a Financial Transactions Tax or other scheme.
BTW do the Greens have a position on GST?
To: CV
Nothing wrong with GST, just make a quick calculation on how much this Tory gov’t siphoned out of the Canterbury rebuild, from GST, taxes on wages and company profits;-)))
The Greens consider GST a regressive tax that is unfair on people with low incomes and low wealth. When National raised GST they proposed an eco-tax instead (carbon and agricultural water use). They also gave National shit on their blog each anniversary of the GST raising because Key had said National wouldn’t.
The GP tax policy isn’t online at the moment (I’ll assume it’s being revised), but I found this in the archives from 2010.
https://web.archive.org/web/20101231003333/http://www.greens.org.nz/policysummary/green-taxation-and-monetary-policy-summary
It doesn’t mention GST at all, which surprises me (I got the above stuff from the GP blogs and press releases). Would be interested in what you think about their tax policy in general.
Ecological tax reform is a simple idea: shift taxes off work and enterprise, and onto waste, pollution and scarce resources.
I prefer my old Labour branch’s take on GST: 20% GST applying to each dollar of an item or service over $100. Which turns it into a wealth tax.
It is effectively 0% GST on all items required for day to day living.
That’s an interesting idea. One suspects there would be a lot of items sold at $99.90 though…
“If that is not a call for civil disobedience on a massive scale . . . well, I don’t know what is!” – in a country where it is socially unacceptable to even boo the Prime Minister
esoteric pineapples you know you went straight for #2?
or maybe #8 now I think about it
God this is awful.
Well that certainly consolidates my random musings. Kia ora Tony
The wealthy always engage in class warfare. Simply can not have wealthy people without such warfare happening.
is this tin foil hat stuff? Ok i see the link, but the natural progression of this ends up at some point in anarchy or massive revolutions, History has many examples.
Ideologically they aim for small government user pays I thought, is not what your saying a form of scaremongering?
Did they raise GST deliberately for that purpose or instead to make up for the rich tax cut more simply.
IDNK.
“A Guest Post by Tony Veitch.”
Might it be a good idea to put a note beside that that this is Tony, not the other one?
I did think about it, weka, but I think the other Tony Veitch is the one that has the problem. I’m sure readers will quickly realise that our Tony is a clever, thoughtful person, not a self absorbed victim blaming criminal.
Fair enough trp, I was just mindful of the recent post with the name in the title that more intermitten readers might have seen.
Ha! That’s one of the methods Slater uses to inflate his numbers over at WO. We’re not that shallow and not that bothered!
My only issue with inflated numbers on this site is figuring out what causes them so that I can make them drop back to reality. I’m interested in measuring what is actually happening rather than doing a Cameron and inflating numbers.
Ok this got rather long. Kicking the rest of the comment to OpenMike.
Sorry, I don’t understand what you mean there trp. I meant that people that were upset by the post defending TV the abuser might be shocked to see a guest poster by TV. Nothing to do with inflating numbers.
Ah, sorry, weka. I misunderstood what you meant. Good point.
Thanks for bringing that up, I was not going to read when I saw the pen name, this Tony Veich needs to get new pen-name.
I intend to get doc’o, thanks Tony
It is his real name and he doesn’t want to cede to the other one (fair enough too). Tricky.
Zero inflation is the product of govt interventionism, inflation targetting, so much so that instead of price rises companies take on debt and lower service and product quality, directly as a response to big govt neo-liberalism. The financial sector has become so locked into returns, as they depend on leverage those returns into massive debt portfolios, that any infrastructure spending would shake their now post 2008 shonkey positions. Between a unmovable hard place the huge debt mountains, and an infinite force for change as epitomized by rise of outlier candidates, the only reason Clinton is viable is she is a women, all her positions are stale pre-2008. The one play book to rule them all, simplified stupidity, for thirty years has brought us to this crisis.
Not Peter Ustinov, I believe Alan Whittaker, a TV Brit TV journalist of the time.