Posts Tagged ‘credit where it’s due’

Youth rates – good and bad employers

Written By: - Date published: 11:28 am, April 7th, 2013 - 32 comments

The Nats’ youth rate wages (“for when the ‘minimum’ wage just isn’t low enough”) come in to effect next month. Some of the big youth employers are making their intentions known. You may wish to vote with your wallet.

Good employer

Written By: - Date published: 12:26 pm, March 15th, 2013 - 13 comments

Bravo to TONZU, the first employers to sign up for the living wage for all its workers.

Maori Party too little too late

Written By: - Date published: 11:21 am, October 25th, 2012 - 9 comments

The Maori Party has pulled its support for the latest weakening of the ETS. As usual Peter Dunne will be personally responsible for propping up the worst of the Nats’ agenda.

National split on super?

Written By: - Date published: 7:09 am, October 19th, 2012 - 26 comments

Foss has effectively challenged the PM’s stance on ruling out changes to the age of eligibility for NZ Super. A minor rebellion? A faint flickering of independent and rational thought form within the National caucus?

Marriage equality – how they voted

Written By: - Date published: 10:57 am, August 30th, 2012 - 165 comments

How they voted, some wise words on the range of christian belief, and credit to John Key.

51% swindle averted

Written By: - Date published: 12:43 pm, June 21st, 2012 - 31 comments

It looks like the Nats’ attempt to pull a swindle on the meaning of “51% ownership” has been averted.

Class size backdown

Written By: - Date published: 9:07 am, May 29th, 2012 - 32 comments

Is the government coming to its senses on the matter of reducing class sizes? That would be a rare pleasure indeed…

A good move

Written By: - Date published: 3:40 pm, May 22nd, 2012 - 16 comments

The government has correctly bowed to pressure and banned foreign-flagged fishing boats from operating in our waters.
We don’t have too many posts praising this government, and to have 2 today may surprise some. But credit where it’s due.

Falling prison numbers

Written By: - Date published: 11:18 am, May 22nd, 2012 - 13 comments

It’s an interesting fact that the one area in which National is going against its traditional approach and moving towards what the experts advocate is prisons. And I think I know why. In education, health, welfare etc National’s ideological positions correspond with cutting spending. But ‘lock em up and throw away the key’ costs. When Bill English called prisons a “moral and fiscal failure” his emphasis was on “fiscal”.

Wages rise faster than inflation!

Written By: - Date published: 7:27 am, May 2nd, 2012 - 26 comments

For the first time under this National government, average wages and salaries actually rose (2%) faster than inflation (1.6%), so in the last year people are ever so slightly better off – I think congratulations are in order!

Shine some sunlight on lobbying

Written By: - Date published: 9:38 am, April 17th, 2012 - 17 comments

A Green Party bill proposes bringing some transparency to political lobbying. National is expressing support to the select committee stage – will they support it all the way?

The Christchurch Solution – Part 1

Written By: - Date published: 6:15 am, June 23rd, 2011 - 57 comments

The main details of the government’s plan for the worst affected Christchurch suburbs have been release via TV3.  Partly good, partly bad, partly ugly.  While some families will be relieved and happy, others will be angry, and still more will remain in limbo.  This is only the start of what is going to be a hugely complicated process.

Youth jobs scheme

Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, May 5th, 2011 - 14 comments

It’s not often that the Nats do anything praiseworthy, so I like to take note when they get it right.  Their new youth jobs scheme, even though it only partially reverses their previous cuts, is at least a step in the right direction.

Credit where it’s due

Written By: - Date published: 9:18 am, March 21st, 2011 - 18 comments

On Friday, the government sent out a Request for Proposal for building companies to build 2,500 temporary modular homes in Christchurch. It looks like step towards the rebuilding plan I and others have been suggesting for the past couple of weeks. Now, lets see an aggressive timetable and a plan for what comes next.

Student loan penalties

Written By: - Date published: 7:09 am, August 12th, 2010 - 75 comments

One of the worst effects of student loans is to drive young graduates overseas. What could possibly be stupider? So it’s good to see a policy from this government that is at least a step in the right direction.

Reaching out to the ‘No’ vote

Written By: - Date published: 12:21 pm, August 27th, 2009 - 41 comments

I must confess that Key’s position on the repeal of s59 has puzzled me from the moment he started cooperating with the Labour government to get it passed. It’s a principled and evidence based position in stark contrast to his usual ideological blinders and populist posturing. Or perhaps it’s based on a deeply personal conviction. […]

Well done National

Written By: - Date published: 9:13 am, August 21st, 2009 - 16 comments

The polls are still fine but National are looking a wee bit crispy round the edges right now. Nice Mr Key has a lot on his plate (hat tip).. Check out the rap sheet: – a recent humbling by election loss – a minister sacked (for reasons that we are not allowed to know) – […]