Watch out Iran
National Security Advisor John Bolton has announced that the US is sending an aircraft carrier and a bomber task force to the Middle East.
Economy
Posts on the economy, work, business, income, and labour
This Could Happen To You
For some reason, this story struck a nerve. An 80-year old had his 59-year career terminated by an impersonal e-mail from a faceless […]
Pike River re-entry delayed
Re-entry to the Pike River mine has been delayed so that a high oxygen reading from within the mine can be understood.
May Day
Press release from the NZCTU celebrating May day and noting imminent changes to employment laws.
Five people versus a billionaire
UK Labour has released a stunning advertisement on what happens if you give ordinary people more resources compared to if you give a billionaire a tax cut.
Slushiegate
Simon Bridges has decided to attack Corrections management for installing slushie machines designed to help cool prison guards in full uniform and heavy stab proof vests on hot days.
Everything Should Be Made As Uncomfortable As Possible, But No Less Comfortable
When providing a voluntary carbon-offset scheme, make it as simple as possible, but not simpler, and tell people about it.
Kiwi Cultural Cringe is Alive and Well
New Zealand is too small for high-achievers and star-performers and does not offer enough challenges and rewards.
About the CGT decision
With the benefit of hindsight the decision not to proceed with a capital gains tax was almost inevitable.
CGT Dumped
The Government has announced that there will be no Capital Gains Tax. It’s a shame, but it’s good politics.
Black Hole
The first image of a black hole has been released. It’s brighter than expected, but kinda underwhelming.
Support Tax Fairness Reform
The Tax Justice Network has started a campaign to gain support for taxing capital as income to support and improve our public services. If you would like to support the campaign, you can sign the petition here or donate here. All funds donated will go to the campaign advertising.
Astroturf organisation accuses Tax Justice Aotearoa of being an astroturf organisation
The Taxpayer’s Union (not a real union) has hit peak irony by accusing another organisation of being an astroturf organisation.
Tax Justice Aotearoa starts campaign in support of CGT
Tax Justice Aotearoa has started a public campaign in support of a capital gains tax.
This Is Who We Really Are
As we prepare for ANZAC Day, the Kapiti RSA has been viciously attacked for wanting to show solidarity with NZ’s Muslim community. Maggie writes about what that means and suggests who we really are.
New Child Poverty statistics will provide a sound baseline for reduction targets
Child Poverty Action Goup has provided comments about new child poverty measurements.
Life and Death in Aotearoa – Debating Euthanasia
David Seymour’s Private Member’s Bill on euthanasia is back for debate in Parliament. Maggie looks at one of the great social issues of our time.
The benefits of a Labour led Government
Today marks the day that the largest ever increase in the minimum wage will occur.
Rooting Out Racism
TS regular Maggie with an excellent analysis of the challenges facing men in a society in transition and what that means for the fight against racism.
Xi-ing Jacinda
Jacinda Ardern will get a very warm welcome in Beijing based on immense respect for her and for New Zealand. Xi Jin-Ping has just returned from a very successful visit to Europe, joining Italy to the Belt and Road initiative and buying 300 jets from Airbus. Pepe Escobar outlines the implications for Eurasia. Much food for thought.
The Repentant Right
The former leader of various NZ neo Nazi groups reckons the kiwi far right are being driven underground. TRP argues they will instead look for another home.
We need more than capital gains tax to address inequality
The most important comment in the Tax Working Group’s Final Report is that even the reasonably comprehensive capital gains tax proposed is likely to have only a minor impact on addressing inequality — what is needed is a more progressive income tax system that lifts the top marginal tax rate
Power pricing not just a rip-off, it’s immoral
Submissions for the final report on the Electricity Price Review closed today at noon. My recent experience with Genesis Energy reveals pricing by power company majors not only rips customers off, but is immoral. The initial report of the EPR is unlikely to address this issue.
Westland Dairy sale
Westland Dairy has done a deal to sell out to Yili industrial Group of Mongolia. This company is the third largest dairy company in New Zealand.
‘Heroes’
A few musings on heroism.
More political interference on Huawei
Here’s another one for the select committee reviewing foreign interference. Visitor from Britain Charlie Parton of the Royal United Services Institute was on Morning Report this morning telling us to avoid Huawei because they are Chinese and different from us. At least he does us a favour by making it clear the matter is political not technical.
Landlord advocates threatening rent increases if Labour wins next election
A landlord has advocated that all landlords should threaten to increase tenant’s rentals if Labour wins the next election.
No More Investing In Oil Exploration
Norway’s government has announced it is selling out of oil exploration although it will continue to invest in energy companies that have refineries and are engaged in distribution and retail sales of oil and gas products.
Chelsea Manning Jailed
Whistleblower Chelsea Manning has allowed herself to be jailed for contempt of court. She says it’s a matter of principle. But what principle?
Bad: The Michael Jackson Hysteria
Radio stations around the world are banning the music of Michael Jackson. What have his records done wrong?
The tax debate – Dogwhistle time
National has resorted to race baiting in its attempt to denigrate the Tax Working Group’s proposed capital gains tax.
Jihadi Justice
Should we let the ‘Bumbling Jihadi’ Mark Taylor back into NZ? What message do we send the world if we don’t?
National’s Tax review strategy
The Government is not due to announce its response to the Tax Working Group’s recommendations for a few more weeks. It appears that National using outrageous assumptions will take the opportunity to raise horror stories in the media on how bad the tax could be.
MAFS National Style*
National is grooming the voters for another dirty ACT.
National’s Maggie Barry problem
The Herald has reported that there has been concerns at Maggie Barry’s behaviour towards staff has been raised on three separate occasions. And Parliamentary Services is at the suggestion of the Auditor General investigating claims of misuse of Parliamentary Services resources.
Lies damn lies and tax analysis
National’s claim that a capital gains tax would reduce the value of an average worker’s Kiwisaver account by $64,000 over a 45 year working life seems to be as valid as Steven Joyce’s claim there was an $11.5 billion dollar hole in Labour’s draft budget.