When frustrated it is easy to go into attack mode, even unreasonable mode, and see others as being some type of target. Sorry to those I’ve been mean to – especially bill and redlogix.
Anyway I hope these beautiful sounds start your day well.
Their self-imposed Budget Responsibility Rules leaves them fiscally constrained.
They can’t even make up the health budget shortfall in the first term, therefore adding this (indexing all benefits) into the mix will further compound their self-imposed fiscal constraints.
Yes, like any government they would need to draw up a budget that takes into account the current balance of books, incoming revenue and the things they want to prioritise spending on.
Indexing benefits (which I hope would be to all beneficiaries not just those with children) seems a reasonable thing to prioritise.
Society needs to change more before increasing benefits is a broad vote-winner. Other things produce more votes per policy dollar. It will take a bit longer to undo 30 years of harm to our sense of what is right and fair.
Change the govt first, then push for policy like this.
“Society needs to change more before increasing benefits is a broad vote”
If sold as merely increasing benefits, I tend to agree. However, as you should well know, it goes way beyond that.
It will help to address poverty and in doing so will save millions in health, poor education outcomes, the justice system, etc… and will even help prevent a number from committing suicide.
It will also be a consumer stimulus, thus help grow business returns.
Therefore, it clearly has the potential to win over a few voters.
And oddly enough, one of the quickest ways to help address poverty is government cash transfers.
Perhaps if this was Labour policy, more would be supporting them in their effort to change the Government.
Kay
This is now. Indixing just means fractional shifts each year. They will be able to introduce this without large sums being required straight away. And remember that they have to lef=t out policy piecemeal. Why don’t you write and ask for this, they may want citizen feedback.
Given that the second question was whether the BRR would be an obstacle to that choice (and it seems that this is not the case), the answer is “dunno, but your straw man wouldn’t stop them”.
The straw man was that the BRR policy would hinder the concept of indexing benefits. At the very most, this is merely a question of prioritisation. At the very least, it is completely irrelevant depending on other budgetary decisions. Either way, it’s pretty weak.
Do you think indexing benefits is a good idea? I think it’s pretty good. Would you vote for a party that supported it?
That’s not a straw man argument. Their self-imposed Budget Responsibility Rules leaves them fiscally constrained. Hence, it becomes more a matter of prioritisation due to their self-imposed Budget Responsibility Rules.
The existence of constraints does not mean that it can’t work under those constraints. Labour might find a policy package that has more efficiencies than national’s dumb philosophy and therefore satisfies both requirements.
The existence of constraints does not mean that it is hindered by those constraints. Labour might find a policy package that has more efficiencies than national’s dumb philosophy and therefore satisfies both requirements.
Which part of the labgrn BRR “hinders” the implementation of indexed benefits?
The five points as a refresher:
1. The Government will deliver a sustainable operating surplus across an economic cycle.
2. The Government will reduce the level of Net Core Crown Debt to 20% of GDP within five years of taking office.
3. The Government will prioritise investments to address the long-term financial and sustainability challenges facing New Zealand.
4. The Government will take a prudent approach to ensure expenditure is phased, controlled, and directed to maximise its benefits. The Government will maintain its expenditure to within the recent historical range of spending to GDP ratio.
5. The Government will ensure a progressive taxation system that is fair, balanced, and promotes the long-term sustainability and productivity of the economy.
1, Maintaining a set surplus limits funding for expenditure.
2, Reducing debt levels prevents increasing debt as a means of funding and debt repayments reduces funding available for expenditure.
3, Prioritising investments could see it miss out.
4, Phasing it in extends the time frame for the expected benefits to eventuate and maintaining expenditure within the recent historical range of spending to GDP ratio again limits expenditure.
Maintaining a set surplus does not limit funding for important projects. It limits funding for yacht races.
Reducing debt levels same as above.
Prioritising investment: see below.
Phasing it in reduces the impact of your contrived 1:3 hinderances, ensures review time to confirm that this solution is actually having an impact without causing too much opportunity cost in the case of a null result, and also see responses to 1&2.
Prioritising investment in eliminating child poverty is a stable, long term investment that saves anything from 14 to thirty dollars per dollar spent (depending on point of intervention and individual studies). It is actually an argument in favour of poverty elimination.
Additionally, ensuring regular income rises for the poorest people would increase economic activity and the subsequent tax take, so the phased implementation might even be self-funding within the theoretical constraints of surplus maintenance and management of government size.
So really, from your BRR boogeyman all I see are a couple of points that are likely irrelevant to elimination of poverty by any competent economic manager, one point that might actually make it funding-neutral (phased implementation), and the long-term investment concept that is an incredibly strong argument for consideration of the idea.
Not much of an objection, the closer I look at it.
“Maintaining a set surplus does not limit funding for important projects.”
Yes it does. Money maintained for a surplus is money not being spent. Just think of all the important things National has underfunded to attain their surplus.
Moreover, as highlighted above, less available funding leads to a tighter prioritisation of expenditure.
As for prioritisation, keep in mind we are dealing with a party that only last election thought super was unsustainable, so how high they would prioritise a proposal to extend super payments to all beneficiaries is anybody’s guess.
As for your assertion (reducing debt levels is the same) it’s also incorrect.
While I tend to agree phasing in is generally more prudent, in this instance there are a couple of extenuating circumstances to first consider. One, there is a dire need to act quickly. Two, we’ve already learned a lot from super as a tried and tested template.
Moreover, we already know cash transfers are an effective way to help address poverty.
I also agree a phase in would reduce the initial outlay and increase the subsequent tax take (but not to the extent that it would be totally self-funded) however it’s difficult to overlook that dire need to act swiftly.
“The long-term investment concept that is an incredibly strong argument for consideration of the idea”
Indeed.
However, it would be going up for prioritisation against some strong contenders (housing, health, education, etc…). And with Labour struggling just to contend with the health budget shortfall alone, coupled with their previous stance on super, it’s a hard call on whether or not they’d take it on, let alone give it a high priority.
But the following may give us some insight as to where Labour may sit. The Children’s Commissioner interview aired on Saturday, has Labour come out (press release, anything) in support?
On a side note. Here’s a rough comparison of the potential tax take off a $40b expenditure.
Working off a recovery spend of $40b, Canterbury Development Corporation (the council’s economic arm) quantified what the Crown gained in taxes – $11b.
Treasury’s estimate was nearer $3b.
Either way, the estimated tax generated came nowhere near the initial amount spent.
It’s Labour that are largely following National’s (fiscal) guidelines.
I was highlighting the mess National have created, thus the many important matters Labour will have to contend with. Hence, while they will no doubt prioritise differently, tying themselves to National’s fiscal doctrine while having to clean up their mess has left them fiscally struggling to cope. There are now too many important matters needing funding and some are going to miss out or fall short.
Labour don’t currently have a full welfare policy.
“Yes, like any government they would need to draw up a budget that takes into account the current balance of books, incoming revenue and the things they want to prioritise spending on.”
Yes, however, you overlooked the fact that their self-imposed Budget Responsibility Rules leaves them fiscally constrained. Hence, their ability to go further into deficit (even if it will produce long-term savings) is now limited.
Many policies are a priority, health, education, housing, etc… hence it now means something else will have to be cut back or deferred to fit within their self-imposed Budget Responsibility Rules.
I think you are just trying to run an argument about the BRRs. Personally I don’t think it’s an issue. NZ is a wealthy country, we can afford these things.
The Greens want all progressive voters to vote for them to ensure they are the strongest party (representing the progressive voice) in a new Government.
And they’re promising more progressive policy to come in their coming campaign (stated on Q&A today).
It will be interesting to see what new progressive policies the Greens will unveil.
Will this be a game changer?
Will the Greens satisfy the appetite of the progressives Labour is failing to full?
And if so, what will become of Labour?
If Labour lose their more progressive support to the Greens, will the centrists left behind be more inclined to move right, treading into National’s support base?
And how will that impact upon National? Of late, they’ve been treading into Labour’s territory. The other day (on the Nation) National challenged the Greens to consider working with them.
Or will Labour work with the Greens and appease the right’s concerns by highlighting less inequality and more environmental care results in a less volatile, more sustainable and prosperous economy overall?
You provide no balls to play: you simply try to disrupt and upset. If I could play your balls it would be with a hefty softball bat.
Now let’s hear more pretend distress from a genuinely concerned troll..
The 0.69% party is in turmoil. Deputy leader resigns in a huff about his list placing and instantly their token attempt at diversity is destroyed. I wonder if this will get the same attention from the media as did Labour’s list release?
‘It’s too late’: Seven signs Australia can’t avoid economic apocalypse.
‘Sign 1: Tightening Monetary Policy
Sign 2: Inverted And Flattening Yield Curves
Sign 3: Sovereign And Corporate Defaults
Sign 4: Falling Confidence And Credit Downgrades
Sign 5: Emerging Chinese Credit Crisis
Sign 6: Significant Growth In Value Of Crypto Currencies
Sign 7: Discredited Australian Fiscal And Monetary Policy’
I’m sure James is trying to encourage a spirit of amity between the Greens and NZF that will consign this vile and dysfunctional government to the holding cells where they belong, to await judicial review of all their pecuniary decisions, for evidence of corrupt practice.
Nah James funny is people thinking NZ 1st will go with National.
How about that ACT party huh? Their deputy leaving the party due to his list placing.
Was rather humorous hearing Seymour on the wireless re his deputy quitting saying no one is indispensable. I guess Seymour would do best to remember that too.
When I heard Winny speak the other day he only had a couple of jabs at greens and labour, but dang he sure had much to say about the useless outgoing government, none of it good. FYI People attending were mostly rightwing, including a leading rightwing nz business person. Interesting huh? I thought it was.
When I heard Winny speak the other day he only had a couple of jabs at greens and labour, but dang he sure had much to say about the useless outgoing government, none of it good.
Put on your thinking cap for a second Cinny and tell me why he’s doing that?
I think it’s entirely possible that Peters will choose National. The argument used to be that he wouldn’t because of Key, people were so sure of this. I used to argue that Key could well be gone before the 2017 election 😉
But ultimately it doesn’t matter what we think. The only sure thing is that NZF could go either way and they won’t say prior to voting. Changing the govt requires voting Labour or the Greens. NZF is roulette.
Peters has done it before – he clearly stated that a vote for NZ First was a vote against National, but after the election chose to govern with National. Cinny – Winston is the nearest thing we have to another Muldoon. He will cynically collect protest votes, then use them to support status quo. He has a history for doing this.
But I really don’t think Winny will go with the Nats.
Another Muldoon… gulps… NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Winston is a clever bugger, watched and listened to him work it. And yes Winston you are correct we do have bigger fish in motueka than in the far north,(just like the one in the audience). I understood that metaphor at the end of your ‘question time’.
I’d much prefer Christmas come early, red and green just like Christmas.
I am reminded of what reporter Ron Suskind said he was told by a Bush, Jr. aide (but I think it carries over to the current administration as well:
“The aide said that guys like me were ”in what we call the reality-based community,” which he defined as people who ”believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.” I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism.
He cut me off. ”That’s not the way the world really works anymore,” he continued. ”We’re an empire now, [now?] and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re studying that reality — judiciously, as you will — we’ll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.”
Many years ago I supported the Socialist Action Party based on Ponsonby Road and went through the usual support for Bastion point, abortion law reform, Homosexual and prostitution law reform etc. But now I am inclined to favour the opinion of Don Brash regarding cannabis law reform and no further race based discrimination on account of race. It must surely be a principle of socialists that there be no discrimination on the base of colour, race etcetera.
Shame on Helen Clark for introducing the concept of the treaty of Waitangi as being our founding document, it was nothing more than a temporary scrap of paper to appease the [r0b: deleted – mind the insults please] and like most treaties intended for a short life span. I just happen to be a socialist that does not like pandering to 15% of the population and race based representation in parliament
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The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
When frustrated it is easy to go into attack mode, even unreasonable mode, and see others as being some type of target. Sorry to those I’ve been mean to – especially bill and redlogix.
Anyway I hope these beautiful sounds start your day well.
https://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/frogs-singing-malaysian-swamp-dusk-judged-be-most-beautiful-sound-world.html
All subjective of course but appreciating others ideals of beauty is good practice for pulling together to get the gnats out.
agree with your sentiments marty.
the best sound in the world for me is the sound of another’s laughter. especially a loved one.
What a beautiful way to start the day!
I prefer the NZ bush sounds. I guess that’s why I live here and not in Malaysia : )
You may like this then:
https://soundcloud.com/naturesounds_nz/sets/hauturu-little-barrier-island
I hear you 🙂
Thank you for that marty.
Nice one marty, so glad you are part of this place.
https://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/
Found this little gem to help people get control over their finances, without coming across as patronising.
Australia prepares to take action against those sneaky cash hording seniors (among others).
https://dollarvigilante.com/blog/2017/07/08/the-war-on-cash-australia-considering-chipping-seniors-money-to-stop-them-from-saving.html
Children’s Commissioner is advocating indexing benefits for families with children to address child poverty.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2017/07/interview-andrew-becroft.html
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=251411
Will Labour get in behind that?
And here’s a thought, extending the indexing of benefits to all beneficiaries will help address adult poverty.
Will Labour get in behind that? Or will their self-imposed Budget Responsibility Rules hinder their ability to support and implement this solution?
Why would the BRRs hinder that?
The initial fiscal outlay of extending the indexing of benefits.
Why would that not be met from within the BRRs and general government budget?
Their self-imposed Budget Responsibility Rules leaves them fiscally constrained.
They can’t even make up the health budget shortfall in the first term, therefore adding this (indexing all benefits) into the mix will further compound their self-imposed fiscal constraints.
Yes, like any government they would need to draw up a budget that takes into account the current balance of books, incoming revenue and the things they want to prioritise spending on.
Indexing benefits (which I hope would be to all beneficiaries not just those with children) seems a reasonable thing to prioritise.
“Indexing benefits (which I hope would be to all beneficiaries not just those with children) seems a reasonable thing to prioritise.”
Indeed. The question is, will they?
Of course they won’t. They had 9 years to fix it and 9 years to at least speak out about it. The silence is deafening.
Society needs to change more before increasing benefits is a broad vote-winner. Other things produce more votes per policy dollar. It will take a bit longer to undo 30 years of harm to our sense of what is right and fair.
Change the govt first, then push for policy like this.
+1.
“Society needs to change more before increasing benefits is a broad vote”
If sold as merely increasing benefits, I tend to agree. However, as you should well know, it goes way beyond that.
It will help to address poverty and in doing so will save millions in health, poor education outcomes, the justice system, etc… and will even help prevent a number from committing suicide.
It will also be a consumer stimulus, thus help grow business returns.
Therefore, it clearly has the potential to win over a few voters.
And oddly enough, one of the quickest ways to help address poverty is government cash transfers.
Perhaps if this was Labour policy, more would be supporting them in their effort to change the Government.
Kay
This is now. Indixing just means fractional shifts each year. They will be able to introduce this without large sums being required straight away. And remember that they have to lef=t out policy piecemeal. Why don’t you write and ask for this, they may want citizen feedback.
Given that the second question was whether the BRR would be an obstacle to that choice (and it seems that this is not the case), the answer is “dunno, but your straw man wouldn’t stop them”.
That strawman blew away quite easily.
“And it seems that this is not the case”
Really? how so?
“Straw man”
What straw man?
The straw man was that the BRR policy would hinder the concept of indexing benefits. At the very most, this is merely a question of prioritisation. At the very least, it is completely irrelevant depending on other budgetary decisions. Either way, it’s pretty weak.
Do you think indexing benefits is a good idea? I think it’s pretty good. Would you vote for a party that supported it?
That’s not a straw man argument. Their self-imposed Budget Responsibility Rules leaves them fiscally constrained. Hence, it becomes more a matter of prioritisation due to their self-imposed Budget Responsibility Rules.
I support the indexing of all benefits.
The existence of constraints does not mean that it can’t work under those constraints. Labour might find a policy package that has more efficiencies than national’s dumb philosophy and therefore satisfies both requirements.
I never said that it can’t work. I highlighted how it becomes more of a hindrance with the BRRs in place.
🙄
Satisfied, concerno-man?
“The existence of constraints does not mean that it is hindered by those constraints”
Oh but it does. It would be far less difficult without the constraints in place and it would also allow them more scope to do more.
Oh, bullshit.
Which part of the labgrn BRR “hinders” the implementation of indexed benefits?
The five points as a refresher:
1, Maintaining a set surplus limits funding for expenditure.
2, Reducing debt levels prevents increasing debt as a means of funding and debt repayments reduces funding available for expenditure.
3, Prioritising investments could see it miss out.
4, Phasing it in extends the time frame for the expected benefits to eventuate and maintaining expenditure within the recent historical range of spending to GDP ratio again limits expenditure.
Maintaining a set surplus does not limit funding for important projects. It limits funding for yacht races.
Reducing debt levels same as above.
Prioritising investment: see below.
Phasing it in reduces the impact of your contrived 1:3 hinderances, ensures review time to confirm that this solution is actually having an impact without causing too much opportunity cost in the case of a null result, and also see responses to 1&2.
Prioritising investment in eliminating child poverty is a stable, long term investment that saves anything from 14 to thirty dollars per dollar spent (depending on point of intervention and individual studies). It is actually an argument in favour of poverty elimination.
Additionally, ensuring regular income rises for the poorest people would increase economic activity and the subsequent tax take, so the phased implementation might even be self-funding within the theoretical constraints of surplus maintenance and management of government size.
So really, from your BRR boogeyman all I see are a couple of points that are likely irrelevant to elimination of poverty by any competent economic manager, one point that might actually make it funding-neutral (phased implementation), and the long-term investment concept that is an incredibly strong argument for consideration of the idea.
Not much of an objection, the closer I look at it.
“Maintaining a set surplus does not limit funding for important projects.”
Yes it does. Money maintained for a surplus is money not being spent. Just think of all the important things National has underfunded to attain their surplus.
Moreover, as highlighted above, less available funding leads to a tighter prioritisation of expenditure.
As for prioritisation, keep in mind we are dealing with a party that only last election thought super was unsustainable, so how high they would prioritise a proposal to extend super payments to all beneficiaries is anybody’s guess.
As for your assertion (reducing debt levels is the same) it’s also incorrect.
While I tend to agree phasing in is generally more prudent, in this instance there are a couple of extenuating circumstances to first consider. One, there is a dire need to act quickly. Two, we’ve already learned a lot from super as a tried and tested template.
Moreover, we already know cash transfers are an effective way to help address poverty.
I also agree a phase in would reduce the initial outlay and increase the subsequent tax take (but not to the extent that it would be totally self-funded) however it’s difficult to overlook that dire need to act swiftly.
“The long-term investment concept that is an incredibly strong argument for consideration of the idea”
Indeed.
However, it would be going up for prioritisation against some strong contenders (housing, health, education, etc…). And with Labour struggling just to contend with the health budget shortfall alone, coupled with their previous stance on super, it’s a hard call on whether or not they’d take it on, let alone give it a high priority.
But the following may give us some insight as to where Labour may sit. The Children’s Commissioner interview aired on Saturday, has Labour come out (press release, anything) in support?
Yacht races. And tax cuts for the rich.
Using nat priorities as guidelines for what Labour will do is unwise.
Have they released their social welfare policy yet? Have you bothered to look?
On a side note. Here’s a rough comparison of the potential tax take off a $40b expenditure.
Working off a recovery spend of $40b, Canterbury Development Corporation (the council’s economic arm) quantified what the Crown gained in taxes – $11b.
Treasury’s estimate was nearer $3b.
Either way, the estimated tax generated came nowhere near the initial amount spent.
It’s Labour that are largely following National’s (fiscal) guidelines.
I was highlighting the mess National have created, thus the many important matters Labour will have to contend with. Hence, while they will no doubt prioritise differently, tying themselves to National’s fiscal doctrine while having to clean up their mess has left them fiscally struggling to cope. There are now too many important matters needing funding and some are going to miss out or fall short.
Labour don’t currently have a full welfare policy.
Nats signed up to the BRR as well as the greens and Labour? Gosh.
🙄
“Yes, like any government they would need to draw up a budget that takes into account the current balance of books, incoming revenue and the things they want to prioritise spending on.”
Yes, however, you overlooked the fact that their self-imposed Budget Responsibility Rules leaves them fiscally constrained. Hence, their ability to go further into deficit (even if it will produce long-term savings) is now limited.
So? If the policy is a priority then they’re prioritise it financially.
Many policies are a priority, health, education, housing, etc… hence it now means something else will have to be cut back or deferred to fit within their self-imposed Budget Responsibility Rules.
I think you are just trying to run an argument about the BRRs. Personally I don’t think it’s an issue. NZ is a wealthy country, we can afford these things.
“I think you are just trying to run an argument about the BRRs”
Really? Clearly I’m highlighting the pitfalls of having it, hence the wider concern and disappointment its generated.
Greens appeal for the progressive vote
The Greens want all progressive voters to vote for them to ensure they are the strongest party (representing the progressive voice) in a new Government.
And they’re promising more progressive policy to come in their coming campaign (stated on Q&A today).
It will be interesting to see what new progressive policies the Greens will unveil.
Will this be a game changer?
Will the Greens satisfy the appetite of the progressives Labour is failing to full?
And if so, what will become of Labour?
If Labour lose their more progressive support to the Greens, will the centrists left behind be more inclined to move right, treading into National’s support base?
And how will that impact upon National? Of late, they’ve been treading into Labour’s territory. The other day (on the Nation) National challenged the Greens to consider working with them.
Or will Labour work with the Greens and appease the right’s concerns by highlighting less inequality and more environmental care results in a less volatile, more sustainable and prosperous economy overall?
Dedicated post: https://thestandard.org.nz/green-party-announcement-charging-on-water-bottling-and-a-moratorium-on-new-plants/
To the Chairman. The answer to all your inane questions is “der”. You might as well ask “how long is a piece of string?”
I’m sorry to hear “der” is all that your brain could muster.
It is all your concern troll questions deserve. D’uh might be even better. At least you have given up that stupid habit of asking, “Thoughts?”
Shame you couldn’t express any ‘thoughts”on the subject at hand.
But thanks for showing everyone you like to play the man and not the ball.
You provide no balls to play: you simply try to disrupt and upset. If I could play your balls it would be with a hefty softball bat.
Now let’s hear more pretend distress from a genuinely concerned troll..
“If I could play your balls it would be with a hefty softball bat.”
I see you’ve gone from playing the man to threatening violence.
Best you take some time out before you blow a fuse.
The Chairman
You present yourself as wise and thoughtful. Then you seem to troll to undermine the left and divide.
“You present yourself as wise and thoughtful”
Thanks.
“Then you seem to troll to undermine the left and divide.”
How so?
The 0.69% party is in turmoil. Deputy leader resigns in a huff about his list placing and instantly their token attempt at diversity is destroyed. I wonder if this will get the same attention from the media as did Labour’s list release?
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/07/act-deputy-leader-resigns-over-disappointment-in-party-s-priorities.html
‘It’s too late’: Seven signs Australia can’t avoid economic apocalypse.
‘Sign 1: Tightening Monetary Policy
Sign 2: Inverted And Flattening Yield Curves
Sign 3: Sovereign And Corporate Defaults
Sign 4: Falling Confidence And Credit Downgrades
Sign 5: Emerging Chinese Credit Crisis
Sign 6: Significant Growth In Value Of Crypto Currencies
Sign 7: Discredited Australian Fiscal And Monetary Policy’
http://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/world-economy/its-too-late-seven-signs-australia-cant-avoid-economic-apocalypse/news-
story/adb1b93996d48e875abd3877ddde5e24
Australia On The Verge Of Recession in 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ufO_L-UYmU
And John Clarke is dead leaving Brian Dawe to carry the elucidation of the Ozzies without him.
Livestock is responsible for 65% of all human-related emissions of nitrous oxide – which has 296 times the global warming potential of CO2!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDskuLAXYAEJCNV.jpg:large
So funny – Labour and the greens will need NZ first to make a government.
Them go calling his policies racist.
“”Don’t call NZ First racist – an allegation that is spurious – and think there won’t be consequences.” – Peters
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/94543321/peters-warns-of-consequences-after-green-coleader-calls-his-policy-racist
Do Labour actually think he will choose the greens and 26% labour over National – you are delusional if you think so.
What is the point of this post?
Is is to start an argument or upset people, by posting inflammatory messages in an online community?
I’m sure James is trying to encourage a spirit of amity between the Greens and NZF that will consign this vile and dysfunctional government to the holding cells where they belong, to await judicial review of all their pecuniary decisions, for evidence of corrupt practice.
Yup. And all he’s doing is saying that a vote for nz1 is a vote for national, so if you want a better government….
It has more point than the majority of your post calling people trolls or questioning about what others post in open mike.
Gee you sound like paul.
Nah James funny is people thinking NZ 1st will go with National.
How about that ACT party huh? Their deputy leaving the party due to his list placing.
Was rather humorous hearing Seymour on the wireless re his deputy quitting saying no one is indispensable. I guess Seymour would do best to remember that too.
When I heard Winny speak the other day he only had a couple of jabs at greens and labour, but dang he sure had much to say about the useless outgoing government, none of it good. FYI People attending were mostly rightwing, including a leading rightwing nz business person. Interesting huh? I thought it was.
When I heard Winny speak the other day he only had a couple of jabs at greens and labour, but dang he sure had much to say about the useless outgoing government, none of it good.
Put on your thinking cap for a second Cinny and tell me why he’s doing that?
I think it’s entirely possible that Peters will choose National. The argument used to be that he wouldn’t because of Key, people were so sure of this. I used to argue that Key could well be gone before the 2017 election 😉
But ultimately it doesn’t matter what we think. The only sure thing is that NZF could go either way and they won’t say prior to voting. Changing the govt requires voting Labour or the Greens. NZF is roulette.
Peters has done it before – he clearly stated that a vote for NZ First was a vote against National, but after the election chose to govern with National. Cinny – Winston is the nearest thing we have to another Muldoon. He will cynically collect protest votes, then use them to support status quo. He has a history for doing this.
Yep, and now Shane Jones has joined NZF they are even more likely to go with the Nats.
Party vote Green or Labour if you don’t want another 3 years of a National led government.
I always do 😀 re Party Vote.
But I really don’t think Winny will go with the Nats.
Another Muldoon… gulps… NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Winston is a clever bugger, watched and listened to him work it. And yes Winston you are correct we do have bigger fish in motueka than in the far north,(just like the one in the audience). I understood that metaphor at the end of your ‘question time’.
I’d much prefer Christmas come early, red and green just like Christmas.
“Nah James funny is people thinking NZ 1st will go with National.”
Mwahahahaha ha. In that case it’s Hilarious not just funny – because it’s the most likely outcome.
But let’s have this conversation after the election because one of us is really wrong. I’m pretty sure it’s you 😉
Yeah let’s have that conversation after the election James 😀
We can be like kids and say… told ya so.
One thing is for certain the 2017 election is the most exciting and important election NZ has seen in a very long time.
That woman is a political moron, I bet most on the left will celebrate when she retires, she’s nothing but a giant spanner in the works.
Great for National though.
I watched the interview, and she knows what she’s doing. She’s not after voters like you at all BM.
I watched it too, hopeless.
It’s like she really couldn’t give a damn if the left wins or loses this year.
From a right wing perspective, I think she’s great but I find her self-centered incompetence very annoying.
Maybe you had better start looking at your own
nah, BM’s totally converted me to vote National on several occasions. God bless the dollar, might is right, dairy uber alles.
In fact, he’s convinced everyone here that the left is a losing proposition and I’m sure we’ve all voted tory in at least the last three elections lol
I can’t remember what I voted last time; I think I blacked out 😉
Lol, pretty sure it’s not just your vote that doesn’t count but also your concern trolling.
Commenters today needing WOF.
James
BM
The Chairman
This link was above and looking at it, I found among the comments this, which presents starkly the situation:
http://neweconomicperspectives.org/2014/01/beyond-euro-left-crisis-alternative.html
I am reminded of what reporter Ron Suskind said he was told by a Bush, Jr. aide (but I think it carries over to the current administration as well:
“The aide said that guys like me were ”in what we call the reality-based community,” which he defined as people who ”believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.” I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism.
He cut me off. ”That’s not the way the world really works anymore,” he continued. ”We’re an empire now, [now?] and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re studying that reality — judiciously, as you will — we’ll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.”
BLM responds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twNkyxdNoQ8&feature=youtu.be
Many years ago I supported the Socialist Action Party based on Ponsonby Road and went through the usual support for Bastion point, abortion law reform, Homosexual and prostitution law reform etc. But now I am inclined to favour the opinion of Don Brash regarding cannabis law reform and no further race based discrimination on account of race. It must surely be a principle of socialists that there be no discrimination on the base of colour, race etcetera.
Shame on Helen Clark for introducing the concept of the treaty of Waitangi as being our founding document, it was nothing more than a temporary scrap of paper to appease the [r0b: deleted – mind the insults please] and like most treaties intended for a short life span. I just happen to be a socialist that does not like pandering to 15% of the population and race based representation in parliament