In response to the UMR poll that shows 60% of voters would not want tax cuts at the expense of public services, Bill English says “under any tax plans we might have government spending will continue to increase* but [we need] more effective public services in tougher times”
Notice, they are already preparing the ground for using the economy downturn as a justification for cutting public services and later backing out of any commitments they make now. The main message, however, is still ‘we’ll cut waste to fund tax cuts’.
So, how is National going? Any meaningful tax cut will have to be $20 a week per person more than what Labour has offered. So far they’ve identified the following ‘waste’:
1) Embassy in Sweden – approx $3 million capital, $3 million operating (why it’s not waste)
2) Badges about Te Reo for school kids – $56,000 (meh)
3) TPK hui – $240,000
Why it’s waste – Maoris spending our money on talk-fests!
Why it’s not waste– TPK creates policy to help our largest disadvantaged population. It needs to consult heavily with Maori within their cultural context to develop that policy and get buy-in from Maori leaders. Further, like any national organisation, meetings of staff from different regional offices are necessary from time to time for effective work. The individual meetings are actually extremely cost-effective. Much cheaper per head than you would expect from the private sector.
Cumulative total of National-identified ‘waste’: 2.1 cents a week or, 1.5 grams of Mainland Mild cheese a week.
*[of course it will, inflation insures that, but will it increase in after-inflation per person terms?]
Thanks, Ash, for the upgraded Waste-o-meter.
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