Guyon vs English
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- Date published:
4:02 pm, May 23rd, 2010 - 52 comments
Categories: bill english, budget 2010 -
Tags: guyon espiner
The frustration was palpable today as Guyon Espiner struggled in vain to get a single straight answer from Bill English, who was only prepared to twist, evade, and repeat lines:
GUYON Do you accept that for very high income earners, people on the sort of salary like your own of $276,000 a year, do you accept that giving those people taxcuts of $239 a week, you gave those people money they simply did not need?
ENGLISH Well look people on those incomes will be paying more GST, there’s various loopholes that have been shut down and the higher income groups tend to carry the burden of the extension of property taxes. But look we can’t run the whole economy on a very small number of earners on quite high incomes. The big shift here is giving us the result that about three quarters of New Zealand earners now have a marginal tax rate of 17½%, so if they work another hour of overtime, they put another dollar into KiwiSaver, that’s now taxed at 17½%. So we’re aiming at incentives right across the economy. We believe we have achieved a good balance of fairness between people lower and higher on the income scale, but in the long run it’s about lifting the economic growth so they can all get ahead, not just about the one off cash on the day.
So, English thinks it’s ‘fair’ to take tax off himself and put it on ordinary Kiwi families.
GUYON But you could have addressed that issue though, you could have lifted thresholds to where that top rate cuts in, left the top rate there and actually moved the threshold out further, and that way you wouldn’t have given those hundreds of dollars a week to people who already have very high incomes.
ENGLISH Well that would depend on how they structured their affairs. I mean one of the problems of the last ten years has been a top tax rate out of line with trust and company rates, that’s allowed for a lot of restructuring. Inland Revenue tell us that among their wealthiest taxpayers only half of them actually pay the current top tax rate, which remember cuts in at $70,000. So there’s people with millions of dollars of assets who aren’t even paying 38 cents on income over $70,000. So look there may have been some kind of symbolism in it but we don’t believe…
Um, the rates aren’t aligned now, Bill. In fact, when the company rate drops to 28%, the gap will be as wide as ever. And if half of the richest Kiwis no paying the top rate is the problem how is making none of them pay it the solution?
GUYON So what have you done to actually clamp down on someone like that. I know that the investment property has been looked at, but that affects a lot of ordinary Kiwis as well. What about someone like Sam Morgan, what is there to stop someone like that no paying much tax at all?
ENGLISH Well I have no idea about Mr Morgan’s circumstances and I’m not an expert on tax structure, but what I can tell you is that as a result of the changes we’ve made, for instance, there is not much point in channelling all your income through trusts to avoid the top personal tax rate, because now those rates are the same. And people like Mr Morgan will now be able to focus on how they’re using that investment to grow the economy and create new jobs, and not so much energy on structuring their affairs so they don’t pay the top tax rate.
A finance minister, who has just made the biggest tax reforms in 25 years says he doesn’t understand tax structures.
GUYON Sure you’ve aligned the top rate and the trust rate, but that’s in some ways rewarding tax avoidance with a tax cut, or as someone put it this week, it’s a bit like tackling doping at the Olympics by ensuring everyone takes drugs.
ENGLISH Well it isn’t, because it’s part of a package that is about improving the incentives right across the board. I mean let’s look at what’s happened for someone who’s earning around say $48,000 just under the average wage. Their marginal tax rate has now halved. So whatever’s happened with Mr Morgan, tens of thousands of New Zealanders are now in a position where two or three years ago they were paying 33 cents in the dollar, now they’re paying 17½ cents in the dollar, and we happen to think that the incentives for those Kiwis, which is the vast majority, are more important in the economy than a handful of people at the top end.
More dishonesty. A person on $48,000 was never paying the 33%, it only applies to earning above $48,000. And the majority of taxpayers have incomes below $30,000.
GUYON What impact Mr English does this budget have on the gap between rich and poor, does it increase it, does it decrease it, or does it stay about the same?
ENGLISH Oh it’s about the same, given the shortcomings of the various measures…
GUYON So it’s important to you, but you haven’t done anything about it, with respect. That’s what you’ve told me, you’ve told me that it’s important to you, but you haven’t done anything about addressing that in this budget.
ENGLISH No, what we’ve done is we’ve achieved a shift in our tax system without making that problem significantly worse in a static sense.
Oh dear, ‘not made it significantly worse’, that’s the limits of National’s ambition for creating a more equal society.
GUYON Okay what about one of the other areas that, for people with small children, could erode some of these gains. You’re taking 400 million dollars out of the early childhood education sector, could you not in 70 billion dollars worth of government spending, find a better area than small children to actually take money from?
ENGLISH No we’re not taking 400 million dollars out of the early childhood education sector. What we’re dealing with there is a sector where for roughly the same number of children, expenditure has gone up 300% in five years from 400 million to 1.2 billion. When we came into this budget, it was going to go up another 200 million dollars of roughly the same number of children and same number of centres. So what we’ve done is, the increase is still 107 million, so it’s going from 1.2 billion to 1.3 billion, we’re not taking money out.
GUYON Okay so parents Mr English will not have to pay more? Because the fear is, and I want to get a straight answer on this, the fear that we’ve heard in the days after the Budget is that parents might have to pay between $20 and $30 a week more. Are you telling this morning that parents won’t have to pay any more money as a result of the changes you’ve made to this sector?
ENGLISH There’ll be some changes in the subsidy regime and it depends on how early childhood centres whether they pass it on.
GUYON Yeah but you must have done the research Minister and figured out whether you thought that they would need to pass it on. What is your estimate of the increased costs if any, for the average parent under the scenario? You must have looked at that before you took this money out.
ENGLISH Well I wouldn’t put an estimate on it, what you can say is that the early childhood centres have got three times as much government money now as five years ago, it’s my personal view they’re unlikely to have to pass it on.
So, English has gutted early childhood education and not done any research on the effects but confidently predicts everything will be OK.
GUYON Can I look at the economic impact of this budget now. Treasury estimates, the Budget document itself, says that economic growth will have an additional nearly 1% over seven years as a result of this tax package. I mean that’s hardly transformational growth is it?
ENGLISH Well it’s a pretty conservative estimate, the IMF have put out some recent work that shows that you might get about 1% lift in the level of GDP over four or five years, so a bit sooner. I think what’s important here is that there aren’t too many there aren’t any other mechanisms actually, certainly no policies that have been put in front of me as a finance spokesman for a long time, that would lift growth by that much. That is actually quite a big impact, that’s tens of thousands of extra jobs.
This is pixie at the bottom of the garden stuff. Treasury says the tax changes may produce an undetectable amount of extra growth (maybe enough to eventually reverse the added concentration of wealth in the wealthy that the Budget has created) English blithely assumes it will be better.
GUYON Okay well let’s talk about the future in the last few minutes that we’ve got in this interview, because I know you’ve ruled out asset sales in this term. You said that in the election campaign, you’ve said you won’t break your word on that, but what you did do on Friday was float the idea of partial floats for state companies such as KiwiBank. That’s a message that you’ve been saying for a number of years now, so presumably you favour the policy of floating some partial stakes in our state owned companies?
ENGLISH Well look it’s an option that may or may not work, actually the government hasn’t done any work on that.
It won’t work because it never has worked.
GUYON Do you favour it though Mr English, do you favour it? Because you’ve said it a number of times. Have you changed your mind, or do you still believe that we should give New Zealand investors some stake in those state companies by floating them on th4e sharemarket?
ENGLISH Well look as I said the government hasn’t done any work on that. What we’ve been focusing on is managing the 200 billion dollars of assets that the government owns, and as I pointed out in the Budget, they’re going to grow by 35 billion over the next four years, the government is investing about six billion a years, our focus has been on doing a better job of managing that 200 billion of assets.
GUYON Yes but you floated that idea on Friday. I mean you’re an intelligent and considered man, you wouldn’t have done that for no reason. You floated that idea, do you believe in it? That’s what I’m asking, a straight simple question. Do you believe in it?
ENGLISH Well it’s not a matter of whether you believe in it, that was a bit of speculation, the government hasn’t done the work.
We’ve been here with National before. Throw out an idea, deny all, try to soften up the public with increased mentions of the idea, set up a hand-picked taskforce to investigate and supply the answers they want.
GUYON Well it was your own speculation though Minister, it was your own speculation. You said if I went out into the market, I’d have a lot of people who are keen on this idea, you said KiwiBank needs capitalisation, needs money, a good place to find that is from Kiwi mums and dads. I’m asking this morning whether you agree with yourself.
ENGLISH Look the government simply hasn’t done the work, certainly hasn’t done the work on that proposition. I get asked all the time by people when or if they’re going to have good opportunities to invest somewhere, anywhere, because finance companies have been in trouble, they’re not sure about the sharemarket, they see the housing market now going sideways, it doesn’t look quite the sure bet that it used to. And actually the more important issue there is getting financial market regulations sorted out, so that as the economy recovers people have the confidence to get back into investment, so we don’t have all this cash sitting in the bank when it could be creating jobs.
I can’t believe that the Minister of Finance thinks savings just ‘sit in the bank’. Doesn’t he understand that the banks lend it out to businesses and home buyers? It appears not, which is pretty concerning to put it mildly.
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Billions of dollars in value uplift was identified around the Transmission Gully project, but that was captured 100% by landowners and not shared to pay for the project. Now National is saying value capture should be used for similar projects. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/ Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my ...1 week ago - Weekly Roundup 30-August-2024
Kia ora and welcome to the end of another week. Here’s our regular Friday roundup of things that caught our eye, in the realm of cities and transport. If you enjoy these roundups, feel free to join our growing ranks of supporters by making a recurring donation to keep the ...1 week ago
- Table Talk: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
“That’s the sort of constitutional reform he favours: conceived in secret; revolutionary in intent; implemented incrementally without fanfare; and under no circumstances to be placed before the electorate for democratic ratification.”TO SAY IT WAS RAINING would have understated seriously the meteorological conditions. Simply put, it was pissing down. One of ...1 week ago
- Big Norm and Chris Hipkins
It’s 50 years ago today that “Big Norm” Kirk died of a heart attack in Wellington’s Home of Compassion. Home of Compassion. Although he was Prime Minister for only 623 days, he has an iconic place in New Zealand history, particularly Labour history. When Labour leaders like Jacinda Ardern recite ...1 week ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #35 2024
Open access notables Arctic glacier snowline altitudes rise 150 m over the last 4 decades, Larocca et al., The Cryosphere: We mapped the snowline (SL) on a subset of 269 land-terminating glaciers above 60° N latitude in the latest available summer, clear-sky Landsat satellite image between 1984 and 2022. The mean SLA was extracted ...1 week ago
- Unravelling the String of State: New Zealand Sovereignty and the Treaty of Waitangi
Oh dear. Sometimes people just need to prod the sleeping dog. We currently have a parliamentary dispute over the nature of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, as signed between the British Crown and New Zealand Maori: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/526451/sovereignty-debate-split-on-party-lines Specifically, the National Government takes the traditional view that Maori ceded sovereignty ...1 week ago - Rigour, PLEASE
You may have noticed I have been taking my time getting home. You may have wondered if that might have anything to do with our brave little nation being constitutionally and morally abused by this woeful excuse for a government. It does. I have enjoyed being able to turn the ...1 week ago - Making A Difference.
The Jacinda and Ashley Show: Before the neoliberals could come up with a plausible reason for letting thousands of their fellow citizens perish, the Ardern-led government, backed by the almost forgotten power of an unapologetically interventionist state, was producing changes in the real world – changes that were, very obviously, saving ...1 week ago
- Sign the petition: Keep military-style firearms off our streets
Help us tell the Government that reintroducing military-style firearms should not be up for debate. ...11 hours ago - Release: Government on the wrong side of Māori wards
The National-led government has been given a clear message from the local government sector, as almost all councils reject the Government’s bid to treat Māori wards different to other wards. ...1 day ago
- Release: Labour congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki
The Labour Party congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki on being crowned as the eighth Te Ariki Nui – head of Te Kiingitanga. ...3 days ago
- Green Party welcomes new Maaori Kuiini
The Green Party welcomes the coronation of the new Maaori Kuiini, Te Arikinui Nga Wai Hono i te Po, today in Turangawaewae. ...3 days ago - ECE teachers deserve better than this Government
The Green Party is unsurprised but disappointed by today’s announcement from the Government that will see our Early Childhood Centre teachers undermined and pay parity pushed further out of reach. ...4 days ago
- Urgent intervention needed on supermarkets
The Green Party is calling on the Government to intervene in the supermarket duopoly dominating our supply of groceries following today’s report from the Commerce Commission. ...4 days ago
- Release: Rainbow youth neglected in mental health funding
Labour backs the call from The Rainbow Support Collective members for mental health funding specifically earmarked for grassroots and peer led community organisations to be set up in a way that they are able to access. ...5 days ago
- Release: Transport in NZ has to be more than just roads
As expected, the National Land Transport Programme lacks ambition for our cities and our country’s rail network and puts the majority of investment into roads. ...5 days ago
- Speech: Barbara Edmonds Building Nations 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa, Thank you for your warm welcome and for having my colleagues and I here today. Earlier you heard from the Labour Leader, Chris Hipkins, on our vision for the future of infrastructure. I want to build on his comments and provide further detail on some key elements ...5 days ago
- Govt transport plan deepens fossil fuel fix
The Green Party says the Government’s new National Land Transport Programme marks another missed opportunity to take meaningful action to fight the climate crisis. ...5 days ago
- Greens call for public to back Wrybill in BOTY and beyond
The Green Party is calling on the public to support the Ngutu Pare Wrybill not just in this year’s Bird of the Year competition but also in pushing back against policies that could lead to the destruction of its habitat and accelerate its extinction. ...6 days ago
- Building consents data bad news for construction
News that the annual number of building consents granted for new homes fell by more than 20 percent for the year ended July 2024, is bad news for the construction industry. ...1 week ago
- Te Pāti Māori Pay Tribute to Kiingi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII
Papā te whatitiri, hikohiko te uira, i kanapu ki te rangi, i whētuki i raro rā, rū ana te whenua e. Uea te pou o tōku whare kia tū tangata he kapua whakairi nāku nā runga o Taupiri. Ko taku kiri ka tōkia ki te anu mātao. E te iwi ...1 week ago
- Release: Gaps still to be addressed in callouts response
The Government must guarantee New Zealanders will not be at risk after making changes to the way mental health callouts are handled. ...1 week ago
- Poroporoaki: Kiingi Tuheitia passing
Haere e te Kīngi o te kotahitangi Haere ki o nui, ki o rahi I te pō ...1 week ago
- Green Party pays respects to Kiingi Tuuheitia
The Green Party is paying tribute to the Māori King, Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero XVII, after he passed away earlier this morning. ...1 week ago
- Potaka Brings Whakaata Māori to its Knees
Today’s Whakaata Māori announcement is yet another colossal failure from Minister Potaka, who has turned his back on te reo Māori, forcing a channel offline, putting whānau out of jobs, and cutting Māori content, says Te Pāti Māori. “A Senior Māori Minister has turned his back on Te Reo Māori. ...1 week ago
- Release: National restricts access to disability care homes
With disability communities still reeling from the diminishing of Whaikaha, a leaked document now reveals another blow with National restricting access to residential care homes. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt must help save 230 manufacturing jobs
Labour is calling on the Government and Mercury Energy to find a solution to the proposed Winstone Pulp mill closure and save 230 manufacturing jobs. ...1 week ago
- Govt shirks its responsibility to Whakaata Māori
The Green Party has called out the Government for allowing Whakaata Māori to effectively collapse to a shell of its former self as job cuts and programming cuts were announced at the broadcaster today. ...1 week ago
- NZ First Member’s Bill To Disestablish Auckland Transport
Today New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will restore democratic control over transport management in Auckland City by disestablishing Auckland Transport (AT) and returning control to Auckland Council. The ‘Local Government (Auckland Council) (Disestablishment of Auckland Transport) Amendment Bill’ intends to restore democratic oversight, control, and accountability ...1 week ago - Release: PM fails in constitutional role and leadership
The failure of the Prime Minister to condemn his Minister for personally attacking the judiciary is another example of this Government riding roughshod over important constitutional rules. ...1 week ago
- Waititi urges Rotorua Lakes Council to immediately stop works at Lake Rotokākahi
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and Member of Parliament for Waiariki, which includes Rotorua, has written to Rotorua Lakes Councillors requesting they immediately stop sewerage piping works at Lake Rotokākahi in Rotorua. “Mana whenua have been urging Rotorua Lakes Council to stop works and look at alternative plans to protect the ...1 week ago
- Release: Patient care at risk from redundancies
Patient care could suffer as a result of further cuts to the health system, which could lose thousands of staff who keep our hospitals and clinics running. ...1 week ago
- Greens call on Govt to wake up on child poverty
The Green Party says the latest statistics on child poverty in this country highlight the callous approach that the Government is taking on this issue of national shame. ...1 week ago
- Release: Police are off the beat under National
Foot patrols around the country have decreased 15 percent since National took office, despite National’s Mark Mitchell claiming otherwise. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Climate denial is an insult to Pacific leaders
Winston Peters’ climate denialism at the Pacific Islands’ Forum is an embarrassing new low. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt must end solitary confinement
The Green Party is urging the Government to end the use of solitary confinement within our prisons after new research revealed some prisoners have been held in confinement for more than 900 days. ...2 weeks ago
- Fossil fuels never the answer in climate crisis
The Government’s moves to enable the import of Liquefied Natural Gas is another step away from the sustainable and affordable energy network that this country needs. ...2 weeks ago
- Government must respect Court’s Uber employee decision
Today’s court ruling upholding the rights of Uber drivers is a message to the Government that it must not tamper with employment protections. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Uber court decision recognises workers’ rights
The Court of Appeal decision that Uber drivers are entitled to employee rights such as minimum wage, sick leave, holiday pay and collective bargaining is welcome news for the drivers involved and their unions. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour calls on Govt to divest from illegal settlements
The Labour Party is calling on the Government to tell the two major wealth funds, the NZ Super Fund and ACC, to withdraw investments from companies listed by the United Nations as complicit in Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt backtrack on fast-track still not enough
Labour welcomes news that the National Government is backing down on its reckless proposal to give Ministers final sign-off on significant projects, but it’s still not enough. ...2 weeks ago
- Fast track still on track to environmental destruction
Our environment remains at risk despite the Government's proposed changes to its controversial fast-track legislation. ...2 weeks ago
- Ohinemuri River pollution highlights mining risks
The harrowing images of the severely polluted Ohinemuri River caused by an old mining shaft could become a more common occurrence under the mining regime the Government is looking to roll out. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt Incarcerating our Mokopuna into a Failed System
Information released by the Minister for Children has revealed that almost 800 mokopuna Māori have been taken by the state this year, putting it on track for the largest displacement of tamariki Māori since the introduction of Section 7AA in 2019. “Oranga Tamariki is running a crusade against whakapapa Māori ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins’ Speech to Local Government New Zealand
...2 weeks ago
- Release: Regional deals can’t leave ratepayers picking up the bill again
On the back of a patronising speech to local councils the Government has rushed out an announcement on regional and city deals that leaves out the crucial component – funding. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt in thrall to tobacco lobbyists
The National Government has put the interests of tobacco lobbyists ahead of New Zealanders and their health. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt overreach on councils an assault on local democracy
The Government’s move to enforce austerity measures on councils is an assault on local democracy. ...2 weeks ago
- Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations
A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report. “It will have the mandate ...1 day ago - Passport wait times back on-track
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...2 days ago
- New appointments to the FMA board
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has today announced three new appointments and one reappointment to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) board. Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member ...2 days ago
- District Court judges appointed
Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court judges. The appointees, who will take up their roles at the Manukau Court and the Auckland Court in the Accident Compensation Appeal Jurisdiction, are: Jacqui Clark Judge Clark was admitted to the bar in 1988 after graduating ...2 days ago
- Government makes it faster and easier to invest in New Zealand
Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment. “There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months ...2 days ago
- New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender
New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. Operation Olympic Defender is designed to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space and reduce the spread of ...3 days ago
- Government commits to ‘stamping out’ foot and mouth disease
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that a new economic impact analysis report reinforces this government’s commitment to ‘stamp out’ any New Zealand foot and mouth disease incursion. “The new analysis, produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, shows an incursion of the disease in New Zealand would have ...3 days ago
- Improving access to finance for Kiwis
5 September 2024 The Government is progressing further reforms to financial services to make it easier for Kiwis to access finance when they need it, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Financial services are foundational for economic success and are woven throughout our lives. Without access to finance our ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister pays tribute to Kiingi Tuheitia
As Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII is laid to rest today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to a leader whose commitment to Kotahitanga will have a lasting impact on our country. “Kiingi Tuheitia was a humble leader who served his people with wisdom, mana and an unwavering ...3 days ago
- Resource Management reform to make forestry rules clearer
Forestry Minister Todd McClay today announced proposals to reform the resource management system that will provide greater certainty for the forestry sector and help them meet environmental obligations. “The Government has committed to restoring confidence and certainty across the sector by removing unworkable regulatory burden created by the previous ...3 days ago
- More choice and competition in building products
A major shake-up of building products which will make it easier and more affordable to build is on the way, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Today we have introduced legislation that will improve access to a wider variety of quality building products from overseas, giving Kiwis more choice and ...3 days ago
- Joint Statement between the Republic of Korea and New Zealand 4 September 2024, Seoul
On the occasion of the official visit by the Right Honourable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand to the Republic of Korea from 4 to 5 September 2024, a summit meeting was held between His Excellency President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as ...3 days ago
- Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the goal for New Zealand and Korea
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol. “Korea and New Zealand are likeminded democracies and natural partners in the Indo Pacific. As such, we have decided to advance discussions on elevating the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive ...3 days ago
- International tourism continuing to bounce back
Results released today from the International Visitor Survey (IVS) confirm international tourism is continuing to bounce back, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey says. The IVS results show that in the June quarter, international tourism contributed $2.6 billion to New Zealand’s economy, an increase of 17 per cent on last ...4 days ago
- Government confirms RMA reforms to drive primary sector efficiency
The Government is moving to review and update national level policy directives that impact the primary sector, as part of its work to get Wellington out of farming. “The primary sector has been weighed down by unworkable and costly regulation for too long,” Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. “That is ...4 days ago
- Weak grocery competition underscores importance of cutting red tape
The first annual grocery report underscores the need for reforms to cut red tape and promote competition, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “The report paints a concerning picture of the $25 billion grocery sector and reinforces the need for stronger regulatory action, coupled with an ambitious, economy-wide ...4 days ago
- Government moves to lessen burden of reliever costs on ECE services
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says the Government has listened to the early childhood education sector’s calls to simplify paying ECE relief teachers. Today two simple changes that will reduce red tape for ECEs are being announced, in the run-up to larger changes that will come in time from the ...4 days ago
- Over 2,320 people engage with first sector regulatory review
Regulation Minister David Seymour says there has been a strong response to the Ministry for Regulation’s public consultation on the early childhood education regulatory review, affirming the need for action in reducing regulatory burden. “Over 2,320 submissions have been received from parents, teachers, centre owners, child advocacy groups, unions, research ...4 days ago
- Government backs women in horticulture
“The Government is empowering women in the horticulture industry by funding an initiative that will support networking and career progression,” Associate Minister of Agriculture, Nicola Grigg says. “Women currently make up around half of the horticulture workforce, but only 20 per cent of leadership roles which is why initiatives like this ...4 days ago
- Government to pause freshwater farm plan rollout
The Government will pause the rollout of freshwater farm plans until system improvements are finalised, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today. “Improving the freshwater farm plan system to make it more cost-effective and practical for farmers is a priority for this ...5 days ago
- Milestone reached for fixing the Holidays Act 2003
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden says yesterday Cabinet reached another milestone on fixing the Holidays Act with approval of the consultation exposure draft of the Bill ready for release next week to participants. “This Government will improve the Holidays Act with the help of businesses, workers, and ...5 days ago
- New priorities to protect future of conservation
Toitū te marae a Tāne Mahuta me Hineahuone, toitū te marae a Tangaroa me Hinemoana, toitū te taiao, toitū te tangata. The Government has introduced clear priorities to modernise Te Papa Atawhai - The Department of Conservation’s protection of our natural taonga. “Te Papa Atawhai manages nearly a third of our ...5 days ago
- Faster 110km/h speed limit to accelerate Kāpiti
A new 110km/h speed limit for the Kāpiti Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) has been approved to reduce travel times for Kiwis travelling in and out of Wellington, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy. ...5 days ago
- IVL increase to ensure visitors contribute more to New Zealand
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will be raised to $100 to ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Matt Doocey and Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka say. “The Government is serious about enabling the tourism sector ...5 days ago
- Delivering priority connections for the West Coast
A record $255 million for transport investment on the West Coast through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s road and rail links to keep people connected and support the region’s economy, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Government is committed to making sure that every ...5 days ago
- Road and rail reliability a focus for Wellington
A record $3.3 billion of transport investment in Greater Wellington through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will increase productivity and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering infrastructure to increase productivity and economic growth is a priority for our Government. We're focused on delivering transport projects ...5 days ago
- Record investment to boost economic and housing growth in the Waikato
A record $1.9 billion for transport investment in the Waikato through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more efficient, safe, and resilient roading network that supports economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “With almost a third of the country’s freight travelling into, out ...5 days ago
- Building reliable and efficient roading for Taranaki
A record $808 million for transport investment in Taranaki through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Taranaki’s roads carry a high volume of freight from primary industries and it’s critical we maintain efficient connections across the region to ...5 days ago
- Supporting growth and resilience in Otago and Southland
A record $1.4 billion for transport investment in Otago and Southland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more resilient and efficient network that supports economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity in Otago ...5 days ago
- Delivering connected and resilient roading for Northland
A record $991 million for transport investment in Northland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s connections and support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “We are committed to making sure that every transport dollar is spent wisely on the projects and ...5 days ago
- Top of the South to benefit from reliable transport infrastructure
A record $479 million for transport investment across the top of the South Island through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will build a stronger road network that supports primary industries and grows the economy, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “We’re committed to making sure that every dollar is ...5 days ago
- Government delivering reliable roads for Manawatū-Whanganui
A record $1.6 billion for transport investment in Manawatū-Whanganui through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s importance as a strategic freight hub that boosts economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering infrastructure to increase productivity and economic growth is a priority for our Government. ...5 days ago
- Restoring connections in Hawke’s Bay
A record $657 million for transport investment in the Hawke’s Bay through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support recovery from cyclone damage and build greater resilience into the network to support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “We are committed to making sure that ...5 days ago
- Transport resilience a priority for Gisborne
A record $255 million for transport investment in Gisborne through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and restore the cyclone-damaged network, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “With $255 million of investment over the next three years, we are committed to making sure that every transport ...5 days ago
- Prioritising growth and reduced travel times in Canterbury
A record $1.8 billion for transport investment Canterbury through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will boost economic growth and productivity and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Christchurch is the economic powerhouse of the South Island, and transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and ...5 days ago
- Supporting growth and freight in the Bay of Plenty
A record $1.9 billion for transport investment in the Bay of Plenty through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will boost economic growth and unlock land for thousands of houses, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity in the Bay of ...5 days ago
- Getting transport back on track in Auckland
A record $8.4 billion for transport investment in Auckland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will deliver the infrastructure our rapidly growing region needs to support economic growth and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Aucklanders rejected the previous government’s transport policies which resulted in non-delivery, phantoms projects, ...5 days ago
- Record investment to get transport back on track
A record $32.9 billion investment in New Zealand’s transport network through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more reliable and efficient transport network that boosts economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “New Zealanders rejected the previous government’s transport policies which resulted in non-delivery, ...5 days ago
- Consultation is open on gambling harm strategy
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed the start of Gambling Harm Awareness Week by encouraging New Zealanders to have their say on the next three-year strategy to prevent and minimise gambling harm. “While many New Zealanders enjoy gambling as a pastime without issue, the statistics are clear that ...5 days ago
- JOINT STATEMENT FOR THE OFFICIAL VISIT OF NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER CHRISTOPHER LUXON
1. Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim hosted Prime Minister Rt. Hon Christopher Luxon on an Official Visit to Malaysia from 1 to 3 September 2024. Both leaders expressed appreciation for enduring and warm bilateral ties over 67 years of diplomatic relations. The Malaysia – New Zealand Strategic Partnership 2. The ...5 days ago
- Mike Joy on his memoir and butting heads with Sir John Key
The scientist whose work prompted Sir John Key in 2011 to compare academics to lawyers says it was a "surreal" and "scary" time. ...8 hours ago - Results of school property inquiry yet to go to Cabinet
The inquiry was completed months ago, but the minister of education is still weighing up its recommendations. ...16 hours ago
- ACT pledges pushback on supermarket crackdown
Further regulation of the supermarket sector may hit a snag in the form of David Seymour, who is mounting strong opposition to any such move. ...20 hours ago
- The Weekend: Paralympics appreciation vs everyday apathy
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. The Paralympic Games end tomorrow after nearly two weeks of incredible athletic feats. On a purely results basis, New Zealand hasn’t done that well. As of writing (Friday), we’re yet to win a gold medal and are placed 61st out of 74 ...22 hours ago - ‘I wish I’d never thought of it’: The Blue Monkey on Suzanne Paul’s back
The infomercial queen looks back on an eventful life in TV, filled with Coronation Street, The Blue Monkey and a lot of reality television. Suzanne Paul is a New Zealand television icon. Born and raised in England, Paul worked around the world for 20 years before she arrived in Aotearoa ...22 hours ago
- Auckland’s secondhand bookshops, ranked and reviewed
Shanti Mathias visits and ranks the crème de la crème of Auckland’s secondhand bookshops. From Ponsonby to Grafton to Devonport to Parnell, Auckland has some lovely secondhand bookshops, many of which are huge and deserve to be browsed for hours, embracing the way that all bookstores, but especially secondhand bookstores, ...22 hours ago
- The Spinoff Essay: An ode to tea, the universal panacea
Skimmed Alive, Earl Gravy or Peanut Safari, there’s nothing like making someone a cup of tea exactly how they like it. The Spinoff Essay showcases the best essayists in Aotearoa, on topics big and small. Made possible by the generous support of our members. ‘Corrie climax sparks power surge.’ That was ...22 hours ago
- ‘A bogan-fuelled track to remind us where we came from’: Blindspott’s perfect weekend playlist
Damian Alexander and Shelton Woolright of Blindspott share their perfect weekend playlist. Few embody the “west is best” mindset as well as Blindspott. So, it’s probably a good thing the bogan rockers will be able to let their West Auckland sensibilities loose as a part of a supergroup comprised of ...22 hours ago
- Brokenwood – the international hit with a kiwi accent
It’s been a brutal year for New Zealand television, with the demise of Three’s Newshub news operation, costing 300-odd jobs; and the canning of TVNZ’s highly rated Fair Go, Sunday and Late News programmes.It’s also been announced the long-running soap Shortland Street will be cut to three nights a week, ...22 hours ago - The Secret Diary of .. Christopher Luxon
MONDAYGreat news for the nation! In a gesture that I know will resonate with ordinary Kiwis who look to the Prime Minister as an example of someone who can deliver a set of deliverables that will take root and come to pass, I have sold one of my nine or ...22 hours ago
- Short story: I’m a Māori, by Airana Ngarewa
“See that car, ow?” A lime-green Beetle puttered into the distance, barely making the speed limit. “Lady in the front winked at me. Almost crossed the centre line she was so lost in my eyes.”“Bro, that’s the lifeguard. She’s seventy.”Māui shrugged his shoulders. “My swag crosses generational lines. What can ...22 hours ago
- Podcast: Does the government have it wrong on gas?
The government is making a poor economic move with its plan to import natural gas according to Saul Griffith, renewable energy advocate and former climate advisor to Joe Biden. Saul Griffith is an author, inventor, scientist and co-founder of Rewiring America. A few years back he managed to convince ...22 hours ago
- New measurements reveal the enormous halos that shroud all galaxies in the universe
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deanne Fisher, Associate Professor of Astronomy, Swinburne University of Technology The starry part of every galaxy is surrounded by a vast shroud of gas extending out for more than 100,000 light years. Cristy Roberts / ANU / ASTRO 3D Have you ever ...1 day ago - Opera Eucalyptus is a lush adaptation of Murray Bail’s novel – with a modern twist
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Moya Costello, Adjunct Lecturer, Southern Cross University Opera Australia My first curiosities about the new opera Eucalyptus, an adaptation of Murray Bail’s multi-award-winning 1998 novel, were regarding how Ellen and the many stories told to her by her ultimately successful suitor ...1 day ago
- The Week in Politics: More roads and maybe fewer tourists
Analysis - The government's $32.9 billion transport spend-up, a big hike in the tourist levy, and the prime minister's ferry-free visit to South Korea. ...1 day ago
- Our cities are losing the small, colourful songbirds that give us the most joy
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andres Felipe Suarez-Castro, Research Fellow, Ecological Modelling, Griffith University Scarlet honeyeater (_Myzomela sanguinolenta_) Marty Oishi/Shutterstock The birds that fill our mornings with songs and our parks and gardens with colour are disappearing from our cities, our new study has found. We ...1 day ago
- New government funding for family violence is unprecedented, but it can’t afford to wait
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University A new A$4.7 billion national funding package announced today will deliver much needed resources to address family and sexual violence. For years, specialist support services, community legal services, therapeutic responses and men’s ...1 day ago
- Residency granted for Brazilian couple whose immigration adviser forgot to apply for visa
Brazilians Newton Santos and Nubia Chiarelli had been fighting to get their case reviewed since 2021. ...1 day ago
- Witness 1.8 billion years of tectonic plates dance across Earth’s surface in a new animation
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Guyon’s attempts to get Bill-ya-later English to talk straight were worth watching if just to cheer Guyon on and to watch English squirm. Top marks Guyon. Bill, you are a dishonest man.
Look at the frustration and disappointment etched all over Guyon’s face and the quiet smile of satisfaction on Bill’s face at the end of the interview that was more about Guyon than the best budget in living memory that gave tax cuts to ALL taxpayers. The winner on points is clearly in the BLUE corner.
Bill? Is that you?
Guyon is slowing waking up to the fact he has been duped. That maybe Blinglish and “Smile and Wave” are not quite the good guys, the “straight talkers” of their propaganda… and that maybe he played a part in getting them elected.
Usually Guyon is a lot softer than this, it’s a nice change. Hope this comes across more in his reporting as well.
Of course he doesn’t think savings just sit in the bank – he just thinks you think that.
p.s. video here: http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/q-guyon-espiner-interviews-bill-english-3564398/video
That was going to be my reply too. He’s not stupid.
Please remind me again, what was in the secret tapes from the Nat conference? No wonder they were so annoyed when they surfaced, they were the most honest thing said at that conference.
Just hope that Guyon has the balls to do exactly the same to Key
He is like Keys little dog most of the time’
But yes today a journo had the balls to actually ask some tough questions and go hard
Could be hope then
Attack, Labour! Attack!
More solid proof that National has absolutely NFI how the economy works.
So, the fact that we are coming roaring out of the recession, unemployment has dropped and deficit predictions have been slashed can be attributed to what then? If not National, what has caused it?
Certainly not the Labour party – their plan was to spend our way out of the recession, and look where that has gotten other economies?
“Better But Fragile – The outlook for the financial system has improved over recent months, reflecting a recovery in the New Zealand economy driven by stronger trading partner activity and a sharp lift in the terms of trade, Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard said when releasing the Bank’s May 2010 Financial Stability Report. RBNZ”
So – yes – brilliant work by National.
Given that National has done absolutely nothing to stimulate the economy how could your ‘roaring out of recession’ be attributed to anything they have done? How do you know that the economy might not have done much better under Labour’s policies?
The only possible effect you can claim is that National has kept public debt to a slightly lower level than Labour might have. But with public debt still much less than 25% of GDP it’s not the item of concern Indeed over the last 18 months or so, the difference between National’s do nothing policy and a more stimulatory Labour one would have added only a few percentage points at most to Public Debt to GDP . This difference is trivial compared to the 110% of GDP worth of private debt this country owes.
It was only the fact that Dr Cullen got public debt down so low BEFORE we hit the GFC that the markets have been content to tolerate our excessive private debt.
Besides much of what is being touted as recovery is an anemic, fragile rebound off a very low base.
The slight recovery at present looks as fragile as hell. The recession looks like it is still running to me. The tax and other changes by the NACTs appear to be impeding recovery more than it is helping – indeed it is hard to even see what the NACTs have done towards decreasing unemployment. Compare our ‘recovery’ with the aussies for instance.
In fact I suspect that if I had a look at the export stats, that almost all of the recovery is due to exports to Aussie where they have been running an active government campaign to ameliorate the effects of the recession.
The treasury forecasts were conservative to the point of worst case, just as they have been for the last decade. That was why Cullen kept getting bigger surpluses than expected. So now you have the NACTs and their idiot supporters who criticized this tendency for so long crowing as if they had something to do with it – how unexpected (and pathetic).
Frankly you look like a bit of an economic moron..
Bill English is totally inept in his portfolio,again. He is mismanaging the economy,again. He’s a robot with a Crosby-Textor sound-bites tape up his arse.
“I am asking if you agree with yourself” – Hahahahahahahahahaha. And he couldn’t even say yes.
I think Guyon pulled his punches. It was all too easy. Bungler Bill hadn’t expected anything other than fawning adoration such as he’d been treated with since the reading of the Budget.
Isn’t Fisiani hilarious!!!
Hey Fizzy! Down here in the South, they call Bill ‘the slack-jawed local’.
“A finance minister, who has just made the biggest tax reforms in 25 years says he doesn’t understand tax structures.”
More specious editorials from Marty. He didn’t say he “doesn’t understand tax structures”, he said he’s not an expert. That doesn’t mean, next to the lay person, that you wouldn’t call him an expert. Just next to a real tax expert (you know, someone who’s spent 25 years in the area) he wouldn’t call himself an expert.
“More dishonesty. A person on $48,000 was never paying the 33%, it only applies to earning above $48,000. And the majority of taxpayers have incomes below $30,000.”
No, he is exactly correct. In 2007, the 33% rate was paid for all income in the $38,000 to $60,000 bracket.
captcha: strict
anyone reforming tax structures ought to be an expert in those structures..
maybe I should have written ‘prior to these tax cuts’ but ‘never’ is obviously just a figure of speech, 30 years ago someone on 48.000 was paying 66%
Ok, so maybe you think he should be an expert, but that’s not what you wrote. You should be more careful with what you say, as it’s the sort of thing that RWNJs like to pounce on and make a big distraction over so they don’t have to address your real points.
Also you like to skewer the mainstream journalists a lot, and while of course your work is generally of much higher quality than their’s, you should still be careful in your work, especially if you want to engage those who have doubts about National and are looking for another perspective on things.
I personally thought this was an insightful Q+A in that there are pretty clear parallels between the plague of leaky homes caused by National 20 years ago and the consequences we’ll feel as a nation because of National’s cuts to Early Childhood Education.
By gutting Early Childhood Education National is creating the circumstances that will be felt and paid for in the future. It doesn’t seem like much to reduce ECE funding now because the effects aren’t immediately seen but the results of having fewer registered teachers in centres will be felt when kids are less prepared for school and the success rates drop. They’ve essentially lowered the standards on our children’s future just like they lowered the standards for the strength of our homes a generation ago. It’s a line of attack that I’d encourage Labour to take up.
Also, English repeatedly said how the cost of Early Childhood had increased 5 times in the past 10 years. That’s because there was woefully little money going in to ECE so multiplying a small amount can still equal a small amount. We’ve done a wonderful thing by professionalizing the the Early Childhood industry that in the long run would lower crime and have better students when they enter school but National is happy to create a leaky system that leaves our children out in the cold.
English doesn’t give an F and Espiner’s a lightweight…….a decent political journo would’ve cut blinglish to shreds but we don’t possess them anymore. Holmes is so far past his use by date yet this is the best TVNZ can do……this is one SOE I’d bee happy to see sold off.
Look the competent professional sector in NZ, the good doctors, dentists, specialists, architects, accountants, enginneers, IT experts, tradesman electricians, plumbers are getting nothing like enough. The tax cut should have reduced the high level to 28%. Salaries for the professional sector need to be far higher. The taxes go to support a bloated health and social work sector that often does more harm than good and just intereferes and destroys the life of the poor. The work of Bagshaws and Bradfords needed to be erased and that of the Mintos and Brights stopped. To appeal llike to the good competent beautiful people who want to party and are into life and not social control of their neighbour we have to kick the doors open and the controlss down. The whole Goff, clark, Cullen programme was a criminal desire to maintain an doutdated and undesirable social cohesion. Family support and working for the families just encourge uninteligent working class people and proles to work, marry, have families and breed. Causing shocking missery bitterness and resentment all round. They should have spent there life partying and having multiple partners. And the pits of all, Margaret Wilson who said we will never reach the stage like America where people go out alone to drink and seek partners. I’d like to tell Margaret what she could do with that artificial leg.
There should be some used, cast-off artificials that can be generously stuffed into your many orifices.
At least, even though rejects, they would in their retirement now serve a more useful function than education has served you.
captcha: walk (!)
RobertM – more satire on The Standard but please learn to use the spellcheck
You sound like a Right-Wing fanatic, Like the rest of your ilk you seem to think working class people are stupid . May I remind of a quote by the late but great Nye Bevan ,he said that “if all the working class left the country the rich would starve , But if all the rich left life would still go regardlesl”
Personally have read your insulting comments I wonder who you are . The disgusting personal insult to Margaret Wilson puts you among the contemptibly.The couragious Margaret Wilson overcame unbeliviable pain but still became a Lawyer of distinction plus the Speaker of the House . An example to all. Your insulting remarks tell just what a creep you are
Robert.
It’s late on a Sunday night, maybe you’re a little drunk and in my experience that doesn’t mix well with blogging at all.
Look the competent professional sector in NZ, the good doctors, dentists, specialists, architects, accountants, enginners, IT experts, tradesman electricians, plumbers are getting nothing like enough.
Occur to you that perhaps they aren’t being paid enough?
The tax cut should have reduced the high level to 28%.
NZ already has the second lowest total income taxes in the OECD. Since this graph was produced we have apparently slipped below even Sth Korea. Contrary to the lies you have been fed by the right-wing propaganda machine, NZ is in fact a very low tax country.
All other civilised nations have higher income taxes than us.
The rest of the comment fades off into incoherent dreck that I’m afraid you might be embarrassed by in the morning. If you are lucky one of the moderators might take pity on you.
That’s funny, I read about as far as you did, and then lost interest in what he was blabbing about.
Hint to Robert: use paragraphs.
And most of them are doing than us. Wonder what the correlation is….
Double dip-shit English, As a top tax bracket sort of person, I am keeping my passports current and thinking fuckit! I can happily live in Europe. But I am not sure my son is going to want to live here.
Schrodigerscat sums it up, we’re going to see the same impact the last 2 nat govt’s had in so far as those not getting a fair deal will pull up stumps and depart.
Todays generation are much better informed as they don’t trust the msm (who can blame them) and now that the nat’s sheep suit is gone to reveal the wolf beneath this is a classic ‘screw the lower/middle….reward the already well off’ nat gov’t which will yield the same outcomes muldoon’s and shipley/bolgers did……….can’t say I’m surprised as that’s all they know….there never was a plan B.
“A finance minister, who has just made the biggest tax reforms in 25 years says he doesn’t understand tax structures”
But he does understand the structures surrounding Minister’s housing allowances. We should give the Rorter-in-Chief credit for that, surely.
No, aj, he didn’t understand the structures surrounding Minister’s housing allowances either. According to the Auditor General, English sought advice on that (which proved to be wrong) and then claimed an allowance he was not entitled to receive.
Toad
Fancy a Green bringing up the subject of Housing allowances, have you forgotten the way two of your unelected MP’s ripped off the tax payer?
Has Guyon gone soft? Has he had a Damascene moment and sworn off his fawning adoration of all things National? Is this an insurance job, having a “balanced reporting moment” for the sake of future employment prospects? Did Guyon discover honesty? I smell a rat. There is something rotten in the state of Denmark……..
How much is Guyon’s apparent change of heart due to the producer of the show?
The plot sickens….what is known about the producer?
Qu & A producer is Tim Watkin who, IMO, tends to lean a little to the left:
http://www.pundit.co.nz/users/tim-watkin
http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/heatley-question-3383236
Shades of pink maybe, poor Guyon, losing the power of manoevre…such a shame.
I don’t perceive Watkin to be highly radical, but I would imagine he subscribes to the public service ethos of asking some hard & critical questions of people being interviewed.
I am amazed that we are paying this guy 250k or whatever and he’s restructured the nations tax system and he now says he’s not an expert in it.
Me too, I would accept the $250K plus and do a much better job. Expertise is over rated, it tends to be self serving. Common sense and gut reaction, now thats what is needed. Double Dipton has neither.
“Qu & A producer is Tim Watkin who, IMO, tends to lean a little to the left:”
That’s my understanding too. In the recent past there has been a notable contrast between the treatment of both Phil Goff and John Key on that programme. One is fawned over, while the other is rarely allowed to finish his sentences. Indeed, I would go further than that and say he is often not allowed to start them! No prizes for guessing which is which.
I contemplated laying a complaint but maybe – just maybe – there has been enough of them to warrant a dressing down of both Holmes and Espinor by the producer?
Well my opinion is that that the programme is a vehicle for Tory propaganda for the political Right. As Holmes he’s a joke . His gibering at the start of the programme is like a Punch and Judy , As a LP activist I have to watch it ,but its becoming more painful each week. Where have al the Brian Edwards and Katherine Argyles gone?
I wonder how many ,who were watching this progamme noticed the sheer hate in English’s face . I think that the way his face changed when asked a tough question said it all.His face said it all ie ” I will do it my way regardless”
He’s a dangerous man and one determined to crunch the working class.
I wonder how he will deal with the unions ? I hate to think.
“I’m not an expert on tax structure” – I can’t believe he actually said that! How do you feel you can pick up your large salary and set the nation’s tax structure and say that?
Mind you Guyon was lucky to get an interview – it seems to be a regular refrain on RadioNZ of “we asked the minister to comment, but he/she refused the request.” Personally I like a bit of accountability from my democratically elected representatives – continually refusing to front up is not acceptable. It’s also unusual for a first term government – do they not feel able to justify their actions?
To red, pink and lazy susan I was no more intoxicated than when I conducted the media programme for F-16s and rail privatisation in the l990s. NZ may have comparatively low tax rates but the pay rates and sophisticated lifestyle options in NZ and Auckland are limited. Auckland definitely isn’t a 24 hour 7 day society. Margaret Wilson and Helen Clarks decision to surrender to the collectivism of ordinary NZ men, rural men and the police is what holds NZ back. We will never be a free happy society for intelligent and beautiful people unless we accept individualism and allow people to go out alone, drink and seek company. I mean to offend margaret wilson she is a tough embittered class warrior and in some ways I am on the other side.
Margaret Wilson and Helen Clarks decision to surrender to the collectivism of ordinary NZ men, rural men and the police is what holds NZ back.
What does this mean? I can’t make any sense of it.
If Espiner is the best that TV has it’s no wonder that politicians like English get away with the sort of ‘tripe’ that masqerades as answers. All he had to do was ask English where is the evidence that tax cuts for the rich creates growth for the economy. Pretty simple really.
The interview was a politician’s dream; English spoke heaps – and said nothing. It was the most skillful evasion of answering a question since Kim Hill asked Winston Peters what he had for breakfast (a double scotch and two ciggies).
I wonder what National supporters think of one of their ministers who can’t give a straight answer to a straight question…
By the way, Marty G; thanks for the transcript of the interview. It’ll be quite useful…