web analytics

Maori Party/Nat breakup over GST?

Written By: - Date published: 9:59 am, February 11th, 2010 - 40 comments
Categories: maori party, national/act government, tax - Tags:

Yesterday, Rahui Katene said the Maori Party could walk away from National if they didn’t adequately compensate low and middle income people for increasing GST.

Do you think it will happen?

No way. Do you Tariana Turia is going to give up her Crown car and the other baubles of office?

Probably end up voting in favour of increasing GST. They’ll pull the old Pita Sharples ‘whoops‘ excuse:

“Sometimes we pass a bill and then we forget we passed it and talk against it. I have to ring the Prime Minister and say, ‘Whoops’. Or he rings me.”

40 comments on “Maori Party/Nat breakup over GST? ”

  1. Lanthanide 1

    She was on National radio this morning saying it was Maori Party policy to introduce a financial transaction tax of 1%, which could then do-away with all GST and personal income tax completely.

    Sounds a bit hare-brained.

    • prism 1.1

      Don’t know that one can diss this 1% financial tax as harebrained. Isn’t this named the Tobin tax and been discussed for some time? It’s even more efficient at collecting tax than GST and from the whole population but financiers etc don’t seem to like it. I wonder why?

      • IrishBill 1.1.1

        A Tobin tax a bloody good idea but would be better set at 2%. The size of NZ’s financial sector would also make it a hard tax to avoid if implemented properly.

      • toad 1.1.2

        A Tobin tax is a tax on currency transactions. It is a great idea, but would need an international treaty including all the big economies to implement.

        A financial transaction tax is something quite different. It, presumably, attempts to tax all financial transactions done in New Zealand. It would be highly regressive and wouldn’t raise much revenue because the big players would avoid it by doing most of their financial transations overseas.

        • IrishBill 1.1.2.1

          You’re kidding? The Maori party want a financial transaction tax? I assumed Lanth was talking about a tobin tax.

          • Lanthanide 1.1.2.1.1

            What she said was “financial transaction tax”. Whether she really meant Tobin tax, I’m not sure.

            As for why I think this is hare-brained: to think that a 1% tax (with all other current major taxes repealed) could run the country seems unlikely on the face of it. And if it really was that simple, the tax working group surely would have recommended it; what better way to cut government costs but by making most of IRD redundant?

        • Bright Red 1.1.2.2

          the terms are used interchangeably nowadays. Tobin proposed a tax on currency transactions but when I see people say Tobin tax now I assume they’re refering to tax on all financial transactions (over a certain value)
          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobin_tax

      • Draco T Bastard 1.1.3

        A financial transaction tax is subtly different from a Tobin Tax. The Tobin Tax is pretty much limited to currency conversions while a financial transaction tax could be applied to every single transaction (this is impracticable BTW).

        I do think that Labour are going to have to start looking at getting rid of GST completely and replacing it with one or the other or a combination.

  2. Pat 2

    Maori Party won’t walk away from Whanau Ora and Foreshore/Seabed repeal.

  3. Neil 3

    “Do you Tariana Turia is going to give up her Crown car and the other baubles of office?”

    how many other politicians have resigned from parliament and stood for re-election on a point of principle? I’d say she has more courage of her conivictions than say anonymous bloggers hurling insults.

    by the way, have Labour promised to cut GST back to 12.5 or even lower?

    • Lanthanide 3.1

      In terms of fiddling with GST by lowering it, I think the best thing to do would be to put specific exclusions on some areas, while keeping the rest at 12.5% (or retain 15%).

      There’s the oft-mentioned food GST change which is said to be ‘too hard’.

      But other areas that are much less hard: remove GST from local council rates. This will directly benefit those on low wages and pensioners, as well as give councils much needed breathing room. Currently every time they raise the rates to cover costs they have to tack on another 12.5%, which makes their decisions really hard.

      There’s the potential to lower GST on electricity, although they would probably encourage wasteful consumption which wouldn’t be a great idea. Scrap or lower GST on doctor and dentist visits.

  4. gobsmacked 4

    That quote from Sharples perfectly illustrates how far we’ve crossed over into Bizarro World.

    This is a government Minister. A party leader.

    Imagine this news. You have to imagine it, because we’ve never heard it, or anything close:

    “Today Jim Anderton (Winston Peters, Rodney Hide, Peter Dunne, whoever) admitted that he didn’t know what the government’s position was, what his own party policy was, what he had agreed to, or what he was doing at all, basically. The press gallery laughed and said “Don’t worry, it doesn’t matter. Coz you is so funny and cuddly.”

    Pita Sharples is a government Minister. A party leader. A joke.

    “Relaxed” has turned into farce.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 4.1

      Sharples was also going on how he is so much better off on a Ministers salary. There is a new house for his family ( not the leased Government one).

      No way will they sit on the opposition benches again.

  5. The Maori Party will walk away from National as soon as Labour looks like winning the next election.

  6. Red Rosa 6

    Whanau Ora? The Nats are scared silly that something like the ‘hip-hop trip’ (but in megabucks) will arrive within weeks of the cash getting handed over. So there won;t be much cash handed over.

    Foreshore and Seabed? Getting freehold title? Gotta be joking. JK will slide a form of words through that confirms the status quo. Didn’t they hear him the other day about expectations?

    Enjoy the ride in the back of the limo, guys. Might not last.

  7. gingercrush 7

    I think National really wants the GST raise to go ahead. Both Key and English said across-the-board tax cuts. Whanau-Ora and the Foreshore and Seabed isn’t going to be enough. The simple thing would be to increase the tax-free threshold. Something that the Maori Party could support and if I’m not mistake was part of their policy going into the 2008 election. I believe the Greens could technically support the tax-free threshold at least and even Labour would have some trouble if that is what National chose to do.

    We’ll see of course. I certainly think a tax-free threshold is much smarter than merely reducing tax rates at the lower levels.

    • sk 7.1

      a GST of 15% and higher tax-free thresholds makes perfect sense. Could also split top rate into 35% sub 150k and 38% above. But they are not thinking. It makes no sense to increase tax on lower income groups in a recession. They are the ones that spend. NACT’s approach is just a bit whacky .. . .particularly as they promised not to raise GST. What’s the rush?

      • Lanthanide 7.1.1

        Yeah, I would like to see tax rates and thresholds of something like:
        Up to $6,000: Free
        Up to $25,000: 15%
        Up to $45,000: 30%
        Up to $70,000: 33%
        Up to $150,000: 35%
        Upwards: 38%

        I haven’t done any real numbers on this, just pulled these figures off the top of my head, but seems like it would be fairer all around, although obviously more graduated than anything we’ve had in NZ for a long time (Oz has like 6-7 bands, though).

  8. the sprout 8

    Could be a very useful face-saving excuse to exit the partnership prior to the Maori Party’s humiliation over F&S Act.

  9. you are a shocker zzzzzz – with the gnats on the ropes, as evidenced by the range and type of comments on this site and the msm you decide this is a good time to deflect the attack onto the maori party – epic fail dude

  10. Bill 10

    Maori Party/Nat breakup over Getting Special Treats?

    I don’t think so.

  11. m 11

    Small parties need to have two modes of operating in order to survive. Their leadership need to be perceived as rebels against the establishment (whether personality based or ideological) in order to win support ahead of the other main parties. They also must act as reconcilers in order to have any clout over policy or legislation (as minor parties by definition are not going to be ruling the country alone). The trick is to balance out these models of rebel and reconciler (Peters did very well for a while) in order to ensure voters still want to vote for you but other parties also still want to work with you. Look at Parties that have only operated as reconcilers (Dunne, Anderton) they cease to be relevant to voters. Before the next election the Maori party is going to need to do some mad rebelling if it wants it’s support base to see them as any different from National (Miller, R. Minor Party leadership Model)

  12. randal 12

    hah it is not the gst bill that will finallly derail the maori party but pitas vainglorious attempt to railroad a national name change and write the new anthem himself.
    what more can be said, hahahahahahahahaha.

  13. BLiP 13

    Did you see that last paragraph in the Herald story:

    “Actually, I got so used to the increase in salary I told the Prime Minister you’d better be good because if the other guys get in, I’ll go sell myself over there to keep my ministerial salary. I just got a new house, man I can’t afford it on a backbencher salary so I’m up for grabs.’

    Many a true word spoken in jest.

    • Lanthanide 13.1

      He really is clueless if he thinks it is sensible to go around saying those sorts of things in public without raising eyebrows. You’d never catch one of the National ministers even hinting that they thoroughly enjoy their salary and couldn’t bear to be a backbencher again.

  14. Trevor Mallard 14

    Is it Pita’s bread that is holding the Maori Party in there? This is from Monday’s NZ Herald.

    The Maori Party hoped to be a part of any government, regardless of its leanings. Then he confessed: “Actually, I got so used to the increase in salary I told the Prime Minister you’d better be good because if the other guys get in, I’ll go sell myself over there to keep my ministerial salary. I just got a new house, man – I can’t afford it on a backbencher salary so I’m up for grabs.”

    Hat tip Chippie

  15. grumpy 16

    Could be good positioning for National to split with the Maori Party and go it alone with ACT.

    Get in quick and abolish the Maori seats – rule for life!

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Tax incentive to boost housing passes third reading
    Legislation to enable more build-to-rent developments has passed its third reading in Parliament, so this type of rental will be able to claim interest deductibility in perpetuity where it meets the requirements. Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods, says the changes will help unlock the potential of the build-to-rent sector and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 mins ago
  • Law levels playing field for low-emissions commuting
    A law passed by Parliament today exempts employers from paying fringe benefit tax on certain low emission commuting options they provide or subsidise for their staff.  “Many employers already subsidise the commuting costs of their staff, for instance by providing car parks,” Environment Minister David Parker said.  “This move supports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 mins ago
  • 40 years of Closer Economic Relations with Australia
    Today marks the 40th anniversary of Closer Economic Relations (CER), our gold standard free trade agreement between New Zealand and Australia. “CER was a world-leading agreement in 1983, is still world-renowned today and is emblematic of both our countries’ commitment to free trade. The WTO has called it the world’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Amendments to mass arrivals legislation
    The Government is making procedural changes to the Immigration Act to ensure that 2013 amendments operate as Parliament intended.   The Government is also introducing a new community management approach for asylum seekers. “While it’s unlikely we’ll experience a mass arrival due to our remote positioning, there is no doubt New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Progress on public service pay adjustment
    The Government welcomes progress on public sector pay adjustment (PSPA) agreements, and the release of the updated public service pay guidance by the Public Service Commission today, Minister for the Public Service Andrew Little says. “More than a dozen collective agreements are now settled in the public service, Crown Agents, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Further legislation introduced to support cyclone recovery
    The Government has introduced the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill to further support the recovery and rebuild from the recent severe weather events in the North Island. “We know from our experiences following the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes that it will take some time before we completely understand the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Duty relief for cyclone-affected businesses
    Further assistance is now available to businesses impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, with Customs able to offer payment plans and to remit late-payments, Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri has announced. “This is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to assist economic recovery in the regions,” Meka Whaitiri said. “Cabinet has approved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Thousands of sole parents to be better off after child support changes
    More than 41,000 sole parent families will be better off with a median gain of $20 a week Law change estimated to help lift up to 14,000 children out of poverty Child support payments will be passed on directly to people receiving a sole parent rate of main benefit, making ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Green investment fund delivers on climate action
    A major investment by Government-owned New Zealand Green Investment Finance towards electrifying the public bus fleet is being welcomed by Climate Change Minister James Shaw. “Today’s announcement that NZGIF has signed a $50 million financing deal with Kinetic, the biggest bus operator in Australasia, to further decarbonise public transport is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Tax credit boosts cash flow for Kiwi innovators
    A world-leading payments system is expected to provide a significant cash flow boost for Kiwi innovators, Minister of Research, Science, and Innovation Ayesha Verrall says. Announcing that applications for ‘in-year’ payments of the Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) were open, Ayesha Verrall said it represented a win for businesses ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Te Awa shared path completed
    Minister of Transport Michael Wood joined crowds of keen cyclists and walkers this morning to celebrate the completion of the Te Awa shared path in Hamilton. “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, greener, and more efficient for now and future generations to come,” Michael ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua
    Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little has delivered the Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua for its historic breaches of Te Tiriti of Waitangi today. The ceremony was held at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton, hosted by Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua, with several hundred ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with Chinese counterpart
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta has concluded her visit to China, the first by a New Zealand Foreign Minister since 2018. The Minister met her counterpart, newly appointed State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qin Gang, who also hosted a working dinner. This was the first engagement between the two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government delivering world-class satellite positioning services
    World-class satellite positioning services that will support much safer search and rescue, boost precision farming, and help safety on construction sites through greater accuracy are a significant step closer today, says Land Information Minister Damien O’Connor. Damien O’Connor marked the start of construction on New Zealand’s first uplink centre for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges.  Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Notes of an address to the Environmental Defence Society Conference, Auckland
    Tēnā koutou katoa. Can I begin by thanking Gary Taylor, Raewyn Peart and others in the EDS team for their herculean work in support of the environment. I’d also like to acknowledge Hon Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, my parliamentary colleagues, and the many activists here who strive ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
    A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
    After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment.  “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
    People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
    A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
    77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business Forum
    Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
    $2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Pasifka Futures Whānau Ora Conference
    [CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY]  E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā tangata katoa, o moana-nui-a-kiwa, E ngā mate, haere, haere, haere atū ra, manuia lau Malaga. Thank you for the kind introduction and opportunity to join you this morning. It is always good to be here in Aukilani, where I ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Alzheimers New Zealand conference – Opening Address
    E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi, tēnā koutou katoa. Talofa lava and thank you Catherine, for the warm welcome. I’m sorry that I can’t be there in person today but it’s great for the opportunity to contribute virtually.  I’d like to start by acknowledging: Alzheimers New Zealand, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government future-proofs EV charging
    Transport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
    Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners Court
    Hon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floods
    The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • New appointment to Māori Land Court bench
    E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
    113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
    The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
    E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
    The new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Second Poseidon aircraft on home soil
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and Syria
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Community voice to help shape immigration policy
    Migrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today.  “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for Taranaki
    Construction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of Police
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government confirms vital roading reconnections
    Six further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2023-03-28T04:26:54+00:00