Posts Tagged ‘michael cullen’

Farewell Dr Michael Cullen

Written By: - Date published: 1:52 pm, August 20th, 2021 - 21 comments

Dr Michael Cullen has died, and with him goes a real standard-bearer for Labour for three decades.

CGT Dumped

Written By: - Date published: 2:08 pm, April 17th, 2019 - 244 comments

The Government has announced that there will be no Capital Gains Tax. It’s a shame, but it’s good politics.

Kiwibank sale to NZ Super, ACC privatisation by stealth

Written By: - Date published: 11:58 am, April 7th, 2016 - 52 comments

The transfer of part of Kiwibank to the Cullen Fund will inevitably lead to its privatisation, no matter what the Government says.

Political Strategy for a Progressive Majority

Written By: - Date published: 8:53 pm, May 25th, 2015 - 67 comments

Sir Michael Cullen discussed political strategy at the “Destination- Next Progressive Majority” seminars held recently by the Fabian Society in Auckland and Wellington. He started by sharing what he used to say to his students when they were facing a test – “never forget to state the obvious.” For a progressive majority that means “get more votes than the others” – he had some good ideas how.

The difference between a surplus and landing a 747 on a pinhead

Written By: - Date published: 11:55 am, April 14th, 2015 - 16 comments

John Key’s latest pronouncement is that achieving a budget surplus is as difficult as landing a 747 on a pinhead.  Michael Cullen must be a super airline pilot if this is the case.

Polity: Herald on Labour

Written By: - Date published: 10:08 am, August 27th, 2014 - 69 comments

The NZ Herald has been notable for the blind stupidity of their editorials since its formation in the 1860s and its enthusiastic fostering of the New Zealand civil war for short-term profit. Today’s editorial continues that long tradition of blind stupid ignorance by being surprised (yet again) at Labour’s long tradition of fiscal responsibility.

Cullen Fund earns more for New Zealand than Asset Sales

Written By: - Date published: 7:14 am, December 19th, 2013 - 171 comments

The Cullen fund is doing more for the country’s finances than selling our Assets.  Who would have thunk it?

Nat stalking-horse’s attack on Cullen Fund falls flat

Written By: - Date published: 8:48 am, May 10th, 2010 - 23 comments

Michael Littlewood, the Government’s anti-Cullen Fund stalking horse, is back – arguing we should wind up the Cullen Fund. The numbers are clear. The decision to cancel contributions to the Fund has cost New Zealand $48 million so far. If the Fund was canned last June like Littlewood wanted, we would be more than $2.9 billion worse off. Tip: never let this guy help with your home finances.

Farewell Michael

Written By: - Date published: 6:29 am, May 1st, 2009 - 23 comments

Well the other shoe has dropped, and Michael Cullen has now left parliament. His valedictory speech is classic Cullen – best line (re his new role at NZ Post) “When I attacked National last year for swallowing so many dead rats little did I think that some might see me as one of them.” Anticipating […]

Cullen leaving Parliament

Written By: - Date published: 1:58 pm, April 7th, 2009 - 67 comments

The press statement from Michael Cullen on his departure from Parliament is here. He will be missed, and probably not just by members of the Labour Party. He has been an outstanding Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister. His attention to looking forward to circumstances such as the current world economic chaos has left […]

Cullen to chair NZ Post and Kiwibank

Written By: - Date published: 12:59 pm, April 7th, 2009 - 10 comments

Trans-Tasman reports: the Government will offer former Deputy PM and Finance Minister Michael Cullen the post of Chairman of the Board of NZ Post and its subsidiary Kiwibank, succeeding Jim Bolger who is due to retire this month. Cullen is announcing his retirement from Parliament today. Good on him. UPDATE: Stuff reports Cullen will be […]

Same thing?

Written By: - Date published: 2:47 pm, June 26th, 2008 - 42 comments

In an attempt to cover for John Key’s ignorance of New Zealand history, National’s Gerry Brownlee has pulled out a quote from Michael Cullen that he asserts says the same thing as the Key quote. You compare: Key: “We’re not a country that’s come about as a result of civil war or where there’s been […]

Enlightening debate

Written By: - Date published: 11:03 am, June 25th, 2008 - 69 comments

In Parliament yesterday: Anderton: “Has the Minister received any reports on how many National Party members it takes to change a light bulb?” Cullen: “None. Because they like to keep us in the dark.”

Video: Dr Cullen at Drinking Liberally

Written By: - Date published: 7:13 am, June 7th, 2008 - 70 comments

We just received a video of Michael Cullen’s speech to Drinking Liberally on Wednesday from one of the attendees. It’s well worth a look. Everyone who was there that I have spoken to since was hugely impressed because Cullen spoke from his roots, from his political soul. He would do well to speak like this […]

Many liberals, many drinks at Drinking Liberally

Written By: - Date published: 12:49 pm, June 5th, 2008 - 9 comments

Drinking Liberally last night was another raging success. The crowd was about 80, lots of new faces and good fun had by all. Given an open brief, Michael Cullen went back to his roots. He talked about social democracy and what it stands for; what that meant growing up in a working class family and […]

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