Mountain Tui: Luxon’s $1000 A Week Is His “Entitlement”. Just Not Yours.
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- Date published:
1:06 pm, August 14th, 2024 - 32 comments
Categories: benefits, Christopher Luxon, Economy, uncategorized -
Tags: beneficiaries, jobseekers, Louise Upton, superannuation
This is a partial excerpt from Mountain Tui’s substack post – “Despair is free. So is a a smile”
Job seekers cost 2.5% of Crown Revenue, Superannuation costs 15%
It’s easy to chat about how Luxon is a bit of an out-of-his-depth tosser, and how the benefits roll out is already hitting people on the low.
Remember, it takes two whole years now to get a record reset. And if a beneficiary fails to meet one obligation, such as making an appointment, it could result in them having to do community work or be controlled on how they spend their money. It’s all a bit dystopian and reminds me of futuristic scenes from ‘Andor’, the Star Wars series on Disney +.
And the ‘you have 5 days to sort it or get penalised’ message from government is a tough mental and physical barrier to cross – mail is lost, people get sick, times can be tough, might just forget to open a letter. And what about the mentally ill, homeless, or those who are already anxious?
It feels like it’s all more about kicking people off the statistics. Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics is very real – and none more so under Luxon/Seymour/Peters.
Except conservative friends – including some of mine, will only see it as a good thing. As the Greens or Labour protest the changes, the right will cement in their minds how the country can only fail under people who care too much about ‘leeches’ and ‘suckers’ who are taking from them as we circle the drain.
The over-application of anecdotes by the right has come home to roost.
Except the statistics don’t bear it out. The real answer for any structural weakness is complex – a multi-faceted interconnection of culture, under-investments in tech & infrastructure, over-investment in property and ag, inter-generational trauma & poverty, geography, population, demographic.
It didn’t happen overnight either. Successive governments and taxpayers bought into our system.
Let’s look at some # specific to job seekers.
- From Treasury reports, it appears jobseekers cost ~$3.4 bn a year. And crown revenue sits around ~$135 bn these days.
- So ~2.5% of the Crown’s intake – which is 90% funded from taxpayers – goes to support job seeker beneficiaries when the government’s austerity is actively increasing unemployment, and for people who fall on tough times. It happens.
So when Luxon makes comments like below, and it sounds good to our conservative fellows, what they miss is context.
In a country like New Zealand you have rights to be able to get the support you desperately need when you need it… But you also have a responsibility to your fellow citizens who are the taxpayers who are funding that welfare system to make sure you are doing everything you can.
Context includes, for example,
- They could invest positively for structural reforms like stopping most of our money going into property investment, and invest in science, technology, green root industries, infrastructure to future proof the country and build future wealth;
- Luxon infers beneficiaries aren’t doing what they can – never mind 40% of those are on Health or Disability and many more already work part time, this government is causing a lot of the unemployment, and even Luxon admits only ~5% aren’t compliant;
- The $12bn that Nicola borrowed for tax cuts requires interest payments. $12bn is a phenomenal number – not only in interest but in opportunity cost ie. where else it could have been invested for ongoing dividends e.g. productivity, tech, infrastructure. And to give a sense of scale of the word ‘billions’, John Walker wrote on my Substack:
“If $1 equals 1 second of time, then $1 million seconds equals 11.57 days, less than a fortnight.
1 billion seconds equals 11,574 days, just over 31 years“ - Nicola Willis adjusted the trust tax laws to allow 33%* trust tax exemptions and exclude them from the higher 39% Under National, only 49,000 of the 400,000 trusts in NZ will pay higher trust tax rates now. Labour had tried to close the loophole, pointing out the wealthy appeared to be hiding their money and property in trusts with the top 5% of trusts accounting for 78% of all trustee income Labour estimated it would save NZ $350 million a year – so that appears to be how much National is funnelling back to the well-to-do, while going after beneficiaries.
- Finally, our government is supposed to use small portions of our money to help and support Kiwis, and not in a way that adds to their mental stress and distress. Because ultimately doing that serves society – economically and socially.
It’s OK to manage people who intentionally abuse the system, but it’s not OK to try to boot people from your numbers to look good or cause more harm and distress on those that are down.
Dignity is the most important attribute for any human being.
And not affording it can only manifest in domestic incidents, crime, suicide, medical needs, and earlier death and sickness, through stress, which has a very tangible effect on our bodies. For the conservative friends, that costs a lot of $.
* Correction: A prior version of this article said the government changed the trust tax to 39%. That was a misprint – they kept the exemption at the lower 33% trust tax rate which means now only ~12% trusts will pay the higher tax rate.
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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. ...1 week 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. ...1 week 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. ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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. ...1 week 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. ...1 week 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. ...2 weeks 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 ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Poroporoaki: Kiingi Tuheitia passing
Haere e te Kīngi o te kotahitangi Haere ki o nui, ki o rahi I te pō ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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 ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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 ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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
- Government unlocking potential of AI
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...2 hours ago - Government releases Wairoa flood review findings
The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...2 hours ago
- Promoting faster payment times for government
The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...2 hours ago
- Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech
E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward. Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...20 hours ago
- Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses
Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...22 hours ago
- Strong uptake for cervical screening self-test
More than 80 per cent of New Zealand women being tested have opted for a world-leading self-test for cervical screening since it became available a year ago. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister Casey Costello, in her responsibility for Women’s Health, say it’s fantastic to have such ...24 hours ago
- Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document sets ambitious direction
Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document, which sets out how the Ministry will carry out its work and deliver on its purpose. “I have set up the Ministry for Regulation with three tasks. One, to cut existing red tape with sector reviews. Two, ...1 day ago
- Māori Education Advisory Group established
The Education Minister has established a Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group made up of experienced practitioners to help improve outcomes for Māori learners. “This group will provide independent advice on all matters related to Māori education in both English medium and Māori medium settings. It will focus on the most impactful ways we can lift ...1 day ago
- First of five new Hercules aircraft takes flight
Defence Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the first of five new C-130J-30 Hercules to arrive in New Zealand at a ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Auckland, Whenuapai. “This is an historic day for our New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and our nation. The new Hercules fleet ...1 day ago
- Have your say on suicide prevention
Today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect on New Zealand’s confronting suicide statistics, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Every death by suicide is a tragedy – a tragedy that affects far too many of our families and communities in New Zealand. We must do ...1 day ago
- Action to grow the rural health workforce
Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...2 days ago
- Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...2 days ago
- Sport Minister congratulates NZ’s Paralympians
Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated New Zealand's Paralympic Team at the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Paris. “The NZ Paralympic Team's success in Paris included fantastic performances, personal best times, New Zealand records and Oceania records all being smashed - and of course, many Kiwis on ...2 days 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 ...5 days 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 ...5 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 ...5 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 ...5 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 ...5 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 ...6 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 ...6 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 ...6 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 ...6 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 ...6 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 ...6 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 ...7 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 ...7 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 ...7 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 ...7 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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. ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week ago
- How can everyone be part of the AI revolution?
AI technology is an increasingly common part of many people’s working lives – but not everyone has the opportunity to benefit equally. Dr Jade Brooks tells Alice Webb Liddall about her research into how workplaces can bridge the digital divide. The vision “that all of us have what we need ...1 hour ago - Is it possible to keep your voice and your soul while writing for an international market?
Sascha Stronach (Kāi Tahu), author of The Dawnhounds and The Sunforge, on fighting US editors on matters of New Zealand slang. I had two knockdown dragout fights with my US publisher: they wanted to call me “a bold and important voice in Māori fiction”; they thought “moggy” sounded like ...1 hour ago
- Fuel shortages and bare pharmacies: we need to talk about what a possible war with China could look ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William A. Stoltz, Lecturer and expert Associate, National Security College, Australian National University Jenari/Shutterstock The intensifying great power competition between the People’s Republic of China and the United States has meant the possibility of future war in the Indo-Pacific region has ...2 hours ago - Meningococcal: what to know about this potentially deadly disease affecting Australian children
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Phoebe Williams, Paediatrician & Infectious Diseases Physician; Senior Lecturer & NHMRC Fellow, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock Three children in far north Queensland have recently become unwell with meningococcal disease, a life-threatening infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. ...2 hours ago
- The commercial broadcasters’ crisis isn’t new, but can no longer be ignored. What’s next for T...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amanda Lotz, Professor of Media Studies, Queensland University of Technology Stock-Asso/Shutterstock This is the third piece in a series on the Future of Australian media. You can read the first piece in the series here and the second piece here. ...2 hours ago
- One person working on short-term fixes to NZ’s disaster coordination system
The National Emergency Management Agency has just one person dedicated to working on a short-term fix of the disaster coordination system that let people down during Cyclone Gabrielle. ...2 hours ago - Should we follow Australia’s efforts to ban children from social media?
Australia is proposing legislation to impose a minimum age and Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he's open to the idea. ...3 hours ago
- Crystals hold a secret history of volcanoes – and clues about future eruptions
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Teresa Ubide, ARC Future Fellow and Associate Professor in Igneous Petrology/Volcanology, The University of Queensland An eruption at Mt Stromboli in Italy. J Caulfield Imagine you had a crystal ball that revealed when a volcano would next erupt. For the hundreds of ...3 hours ago
- The future of the Regent Theatre: why we must preserve not only architecture, but also public use of...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Tregear, Principal Fellow and Professor of Music, The University of Melbourne Regent Theatre, 1954. State Library Victoria The current Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nicholas Reece, has said that if re-elected he would sell the City of Melbourne’s majority stake in ...3 hours ago
- The stories that defined The Spinoff
An incomplete collection of memorable Spinoff articles. In 10 years (and one day) The Spinoff has published 28,691 stories. Features, opinion, satire, profiles, experiential stunts and anything else you can think of. There really is no way to define our work but here is a futile attempt to track The ...3 hours ago
- ACC needs to cover $1 billion revenue hole
ACC has signalled levies will need to take a significant jump to cover increasing costs. ...3 hours ago
- Cost of living: Are New Zealand households better off now than in 1994?
Here's how modern households compare to those of 30 years ago, and why you might have been better off in 1994. ...4 hours ago
- The human face of the electricity crisis
The closure of two mills near Ohakune will mean the loss of 230 jobs, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in your inbox every weekday morning, sign up here. ...4 hours ago
- Winstone Pulp closures: ‘It’s just a really bad day for those communities’ –...
National's local MP for the Ruapehu District says she is "absolutely gutted" for workers and families affected by the closure of Winstone Pulp International's two mills in the region. ...5 hours ago
- Visa fees and levies don’t stack up – immigration adviser
Overseas tourists and students will be hit with a 'hidden tax' when they apply for visas and they risk being misled about the cost, according to an immigration adviser. ...5 hours ago
- Treaty Principles Bill to go through six-month select committee process
That will take the ACT-led debate past Rātana celebrations and Waitangi Day next year - when the government will likely be challenged again on the issue. ...6 hours ago
- What is supplier diversity, why does it matter and why should I care?
It’s playing a key role in the growth of indigenous and minority businesses around the world. In Aotearoa, the journey is just beginning. Most New Zealanders are likely unfamiliar with the term “supplier diversity”. However, in the business world, ensuring a diverse supply chain is quickly becoming essential – and ...7 hours ago
- Sending money overseas can be expensive. Who does it hurt the most?
There are lots of services promising to make international money transfer more affordable, without adding on the fees that banks charge. But people in New Zealand regularly sending money to Pacific countries have limited options. Every day, people with New Zealand bank accounts transfer millions of dollars to other countries. ...7 hours ago
- Decision time on Auckland’s shorelines
There’s no sugar coating, no preparation for a soft landing. The message is blunt and to the point, for good reason.“We can’t do nothing. Change can be hard and it can be expensive. But we are already facing environmental change, we must adapt, we must act.”That’s Lara Clarke, speaking to ...7 hours ago - Luxon’s India hustle hits a hurdle
Comment: The PM’s bid to ink a free trade deal with India suffers its first public setback The post Luxon’s India hustle hits a hurdle appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Govt rules out subsidies for offshore wind
The first permits under a new offshore energy regime could be issued as soon as 2026, with wind farms operating in a decade The post Govt rules out subsidies for offshore wind appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Bees buzzing for worlds after late start to sailing
Not long after Sandra Bees took up competitive sailing at the age of 52, her doctor asked her a question that completely floored her.“At the end of my check-up, he said ‘Is everything okay at home?’” Bees recalls. “I was like, ‘Yeah, why do you ask?’“The doctor said, ‘Well, you ...7 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 11 September
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 11 September appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Wednesday 11 September
The post Daily crossword, Wednesday 11 September appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- PNG calls in Sir Jerry Mateparae for Bougainville independence talks
The former governor-general has been chosen to help resolve the impasse over the future of the Bougainville autonomous region The post PNG calls in Sir Jerry Mateparae for Bougainville independence talks appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Health commissioner ousts chief financial officer after big deficits
Te Whatu Ora is believed to be paying nearly $1 million more in senior executive salaries since Lester Levy was parachuted in to cut costs. An attempt to quietly excise the CFO has turned septic. The post Health commissioner ousts chief financial officer after big deficits appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Kay and Karl, the old team
My Catullus poems, which have come and gone at intervals over the past half century, have never been translations from the Latin, though some have borrowed; and never ‘confessional poems’, though how close to ‘truth’ and how far from it has always been unclear. How ‘real’ was my Clodia, who ...7 hours ago
- Like the Treaty itself, Treaty principles bill is drafted to mislead
Opinion: Given Act’s Treaty Principles Bill is not going to proceed, inviting submissions would be a mistake The post Like the Treaty itself, Treaty principles bill is drafted to mislead appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Looking up, from a deeper hole
Opinion: Over the past few weeks we’ve watched most of the July economic news roll in.The good news is that, in nearly all cases, July readings improved from frankly terrible June results. The less good news is that, despite this, most of these indicators remain at subpar levels indicative of ...7 hours ago
- Student pressure forces Victoria University Foundation to divest from Israeli bonds
Student Justice for Palestine Pōneke After almost a year of consistent pressure from the student body, the Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) Foundation has announced its divestment from all Israeli government bonds and shares of companies listed in Israel. The foundation had previously reported having close to $50,000 invested in ...12 hours ago
- Many strata managers who handle apartments are conflicted: here’s how
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hazel Easthope, Professor, City Futures Research Centre, UNSW Sydney ProximaStudio/Shutterstock Ten of Australia’s leading consumer groups have now written to the federal treasurer calling for an urgent inquiry into Australia’s strata management industry. The open letter from Choice, the Owners Corporation ...14 hours ago
- View from the Hill: Social media age ban all to the good, but can Albanese deliver before election?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been late out of the blocks on a ban on children accessing social media. Now that he has promised to act, pledging to introduce legislation this year, the question is ...14 hours ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: Robert French on the realities of a social media age ban
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government has announced it will ban children from accessing social media. This follows work by the South Australian government, which commissioned a report on implementing a ban. That report was done by ...14 hours ago
- Parliament honours Kiingi Tuheitia
The House - Parliament met briefly today, and only to offer respects to the late Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. ...15 hours ago
- Sewage doesn’t put Labour MP Greg O’Connor off swimming in Wellington Harbour
Asked if he would swim in the harbour if there was sewage, Greg O'Connor said: "Yeah, I do." But Chris Hipkins said he "probably" would not. ...16 hours ago
- 1.2 billion young people will need a job in the next 10 years. The World Bank is trying to help them...
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Few more unpleasant spectacles than the well fed, housed and highly paid putting the slipper into less well off and vulnerable citizens. Luxury Luxon seems to have no idea of basic benefit rates, abatement regimes or the daily humiliation and frustration of dealing with MSD/WINZ when you are out of petrol, bus money or phone data.
So it is quite likely he has never read the WEAG Report or talked to a beneficiary advocate. Sanctions for missing a meeting or call? Mr Luxon and other Ministers regularly refuse media channel interviews–it should be part of their job to front such things–no sanctions for them.
COVID showed that someone in the bureaucracy is aware of what a punitive shit show MSD runs when a second tier benefit appeared for middle class people, $490 odd a week, partner still allowed to work! no passive aggressive Case Manager to deal with…
The current clamp down will achieve exactly nothing apart from more people willing to do anything but go to WINZ for assistance when it is their right. More people will have unnecessarily miserable lives and stress because rich bastards have said so–the same ones that called for higher unemployment to fight inflation.
I noticed the same thing during the COVID lockdowns as well, knowing that I live on the SLP and knowing that people who can be said to be middle class is treated better than people like me on the benefit, that has solidified in me a deep distaste for modern Labour and I did not party vote for Labour due to that.
I think the million missing votes in this country is partially due to that sort of distaste for how National and Labour has truly treated us on the benefits and all that.
That action you mentioned has truly saddened all people who has had to endure being on the benefits… it's so heartbreaking to see this is how Labour treated us during a true crisis.
Yet… National is abusing us in ways that Labour hasn't which has meant that we may die or get harmed in the process throughout this term of government.
I think the coalition at its heart is acting fascistic towards people it deems "bottom feeders" and it will destroy our country ultimately if we don't fight it.
This is our future if we don't stop this crap:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/oct/05/over-330000-excess-deaths-in-great-britain-linked-to-austerity-finds-study
It is utterly disgusting how badly we are being treated on the benefit.
We all should hang our heads in national shame in how we treat people who need help and that we ever voted in such a nakedly evil government as the current coalition.
Labour also should hang its head in shame as well because it did not do anything to really change the welfare system except belatedly when it was too late to change anything structurally.
I am yelling now:
HUMAN RIGHTS FOR PEOPLE ON THE BENEFIT NOW!
HUMAN RIGHTS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE IN NEED OF THE BENEFIT NOW!
HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL WHO LIVE IN AOTEAROA!
Because this is truly a moral crisis for all of New Zealand. We must do the right thing by correcting our mammoth mistake by voting out the coalition and continually protesting it.
UNTIL then, I will be ashamed that I am living in such a nation which is acting in denial that it's mean and horrible towards its people in need.
This is such a dark week for us all…
No one's thought to ask, but I wish they would:
In the government's trimming of back office jobs in the order of 7.5% how much % of jobs in the ministers' own offices have been cut
I read the articles on rnz.co.nz etc and they give the number of jobs lost from this or that ministry. Those are the jobs lost from the departments that serve us, the people.
I want to know if that's been matched by the departments that serve the people whose ideology it is to make those kind of cutbacks and whether those people are sharing in what they are making the rest of us go through.
Cleaned up the pasted formatting on the post.
Thank you.
The targeting of the unemployed is about sending a message to the employed – "pull your head in, no more wage increases for you if you're lucky enough to keep your job."
This was best expressed by comedian George Carlin:
The rich do none of the work and pay little in taxes. The working class do most of the work and pay a lot in taxes. The un-employed are there to scare the shit out of the working class.
This is very old school class warfare and it's all about re-asserting capitals dominance over labor.
All repressive regimes maintain a degree of terror, whether physical (prisons, secret police, etc) or economic, as here. The aim is always the same; to keep the populace cowed and compliant. They like to keep it ignorant too, whether by merely under-resourcing education, or actively discouraging the spread of heterodox ideas.
It's times like these we need a strong beneficiary activist movement in NZ, which we don't have, and probably haven't ever had. Various organisations have come and gone over the years but a general lack of resources has plaqued any real possibility of this happening.
While the union movement may not have grown directly out of support for the unemployed, and its traditional membership model may be at odds with such a proposition, there's certainly a case to say that unions have an obvious role in this regard.
Right now unions, among other things, represent workers through the dispute resolution processes under the ERA. Wouldn't it be wonderful if unions provided the same level of support to members of the reserve army of labour who're hit by bad decisions by MSD about benefit entitlement by taking cases through the judicial process relating to benefits?
This government is doggedly anti-union.
Not surprising when David Seymour was trained in a neoliberal cult – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stkaorwJ6o8
I guess my point is that there's a legitimate role in NZ for unions to start representing the interests of beneficiaries as part of their core work, in terms of both individual and wider systemic advocacy.
Plus one other thing:
Two people work at a job. One gets shafted.
The 'lucky' one gets to do both jobs and knows not to complain about it.
40 or more years since the One-minute Manager" and Milton Friedman taught managers how to do this has compounded and those who have work are working far harder than the boomers did. People now try to work at the computers speed, instead of the computer assisting the worker.
Well, I in my quite long working life, have met, and had interaction with varied Managers. I include some years working at a Hospital. I italicise, as in reality a proportion were inept at best…or outright fucking clueless at worst.
This meant that we…had to cover for them and their screw-ups.
While they took the credit and spent most of their time arse covering and punching down.
FYI anyone who thinks this is just me and my experience? Look online.
Mountain Tui, not sure if your Post is for Disabled as well? But the latest attack on same needs highlighted somewhere.
I note a similar style to NACT1's attack on NZ Health..
Critical review ? Says it all really. I hope whats left of the Support groups Stand Strong in support !
I had also commented earlier on Open Mike
And who conducted this "critical review"? Are we allowed to know which tame appointees were entrusted with the job?
One is sir Maarten Wevers
And apparently…
Oh really? I seem to recall a different perspective on sir Maarten and ChCh EQC….
ChCh People might have local input on sir Maartens efforts ?
I also wonder..was he ChCh MP Gerry Brownlees boy?
Thank you Psycling.Left.Always
Yes I saw that – the war on the poor and vulnerable has many manifestations recently. Very sad.
Every errant MP should be required to register at MSD and queue up for their Parliamentary benefit.
If not, off to the boot camps.
Nice … bet that would be a very popular policy across the voter bass
Sanctioning people and talking of their "work obligations" would be legitimate only if the government offered a jobs guarantee. Then it would truly be a set of equal and reciprocal obligations: i.e. for the jobseeker to take work if it is suitable; and for the government to offer work that is suitable.
Instead we see a very unbalanced, non-reciprocal set of obligations: i.e. the jobseeker is obliged to beat their heads against the closed door of a hostile labour market to prove that they are still trying, and to take whatever they can get; while the government is obliged to provide only a meagre level of income that makes long-term survival impossible.
The obvious question is to ask what produces this imbalance. Two answers are pretty clear: a desire to save money and juice the statistics by driving people off the jobseeker benefit and into dependence on their wider families; and to provide a free gift to business by driving down wages.
Plus you bonus cruelty!
Speaker Brownlee should implement an MP traffic light system.
You know I recently got flak from an associate, not friend obviously, for getting super (although taxed higher) as well as working. I told him it was my f..n entitlement! And was less than the extra tax reduction that National politicians got per week which was their entitlement! This person chose not to pursue the matter.
Therein lies the issue.
NZS was originally designed to stop the elderly from falling into penury.
Muldoon buggered that up.
if politicians removed capitalised family benefit, free uni education, first home grants, etc etc there is absolutely no reason they should not limit NZS to only those who are retired (i.e not working at all) or alternatively, limiting it on a pro rata basis to people over 65 earning more than say $100k per annum.
Super beneficiaries cost NZ 15bn+ and rising. Welfare beneficiaries cost NZ 2.5bn and soon to be falling.
There is only one problem here and it’s not people trying to get a job or start a family.
It’s not an entitlement. It’s just because you’re in the nearly dead camp that you have become entitled. Along with voting those in who have chosen to knock down the ladder that supported you with your own family.
Working and receiving NZS at the same time makes you an entitled bludger. Winston Peters is the worst example of if, followed closely by 65+ in positions of power earning $250k plus who refuse to resign thereby stopping the next generation from moving up in their careers. 65+ wont resign because NZS effectively pays for their yearly cruises.
It’s absolutely disgusting.
In a Land of Plenty is a NZ doco free to view at NZ On Screen that gives historical context to unemployment in NZ and the framing of those on benefits.
And BigHairyNews interview Ricardo Menendez March, Green MP and activist in the beneficiary area (from 7 min).
Labour enacted most of the sanctions regime and only rolled back a few instances. left the machinery of government on rightwing settings for the current lot to press the start button. I don't expect a future Labour government (if there ever is one) to anything meangiful to improve the welfare system based on its record since 1984.