What has the Government ever done for business?

Written By: - Date published: 1:33 pm, May 29th, 2020 - 19 comments
Categories: business, Dr Deborah Russell, employment, labour, uncategorized, unemployment - Tags: ,

19 comments on “What has the Government ever done for business? ”

  1. Byd0nz 1

    O how the business elites bleat,
    All the loopholes mean nothing now,
    Its the nanny state they look to for a handout,
    Are those billions in previous profits gone somehow.
    They want the state to pay for future lost profit,
    Boo hoo boo hoo,
    People can now see the folly of money systems,
    Well, yahoo yahoo.
    It would be better to help each other world-wide,
    Brothers and sisters of planet earth unite,
    Dump the money system, just share the load,
    Nanny planet, nurture us, and make the future bright.

  2. Frank the Tank 2

    The sad irony is that Russell was right when questioning the weak nature of the majority of our small businesses. Factually she was correct albeit there was a distinct lack of tact involved with her statement. While i'm confident Dr Russell doesn't know the answer she has at least posed a question that warrants consideration

    • greywarshark 2.1

      I have an inkling of what your consideration would sound like FtT. But it would be interesting to read the results of your pondering in due time.

  3. ianmac 3

    That set of business aids should be published in paper form as a reference.

    Well done Deborah.

  4. Jacinda also has an impressive grasp of the small biz portfolio. She trounced Muller in the house the other day.

    https://ondemand.parliament.nz/parliament-tv-on-demand/?itemId=212433

    • newsense 4.1

      Well done. Agree the government needs to get and maintain cut through- particularly liked David Parker's assist- the wage subsidy goes to the self employed and sole traders.

      National sloganising there. Muller has more gravitas than Bridges, and he keeps still (note Dr Russell!). Hope this is the demise of Hooton. Might not be. Probably won't. They're starting with a low point, so any movement will be spun. Was suspicious of that 29.

    • Peter Barry 4.2

      You mean one moronic clueless muppet trouced another moronic clueless muppet.

      Will that stop the suicides, bankruptcies, wife or husband bashings, kids being beaten to death, increase in theft offenses, fraud offenses and the rest of the absolutly horrendous shit that is only just starting?

      • roblogic 4.2.1

        those are not part of the small biz initiative. you might want to check the govts policy on welfare and police. big improvements all round

  5. Adrian 5

    I've just read the dopey Nat $10,000 policy, I can employ a pruner for 90 days get a $55 a day subsidy and get my pruning done for $14.50 an hour, now thats Corporate Welfare writ large.

    You always know whose side the Nats are on.

    • observer 5.1

      I don't know if it's dopey (let's face it, all parties are doing versions of the same thing – borrow heaps and subsidise jobs, and hope to ride it out until the recovery).

      But I do know what National would be saying if the gov't was doing it:

      Question Time:

      "Can the Minister confirm that the government is handing out TAXPAYERS' MONEY to a [hippie art gallery / sex shop / Maori something] just so they can hire somebody to do nothing? Does the government understand that only the private sector creates real jobs?" etc, etc …

      It's a familiar tune, heard it many times before.

  6. I hope they get Deborah Russell into cabinet for the next term. It's not like there are a few of the current cabinet who aren't really making the cut.

  7. aj 7

    "Paul Goldsmith said thousands of small businesses across New Zealand were starved of revenue during the lockdown and many are still struggling under level two restrictions.They are desperate for cash flow and this payment could alleviate some of the pressure they’re facing while also supporting growth”

    No business in the position he described will be in a position to hire staff, they will be struggling to pay existing staff and make a profit. The only businesses able to take advantage will be those whose income stream has not had a significant drop and are in a position to hire – in other words, the ones that don't need handouts.

  8. Jum 8

    I saw her in Parliament. It was an excellent speech; her enthusiasm and delivery were enthralling. Thanks for this post; saved me having to find it for the words.

  9. Jackel 9

    Trying to win a theoretical argument about whether fiscal spending expands or contracts an economy is not the same thing as winning an election. This seems lost on the tories.

  10. Marcus Morris 10

    Reminds me in some way of Muldoon's ridiculous bribe in 1975. (Superannuation). I think people will see through this one though.

  11. newsense 11

    Very strong closing. Monty Python a bit of a dated reference now tho IMO.

  12. hoom 12

    Nobody expects the devastatingly accurate Monty Python reference Spanish Inquisition.