Poverty and the budget
The levels of poverty and inequality in NZ are a disgrace. Apparently the budget is to “arrest the decline”, but we have heard such promises again and again from Key.
Deborah Russell: Preliminary thoughts on the Government’s new tax
Deborah Russell is a senior lecturer in taxation at Massey University and was Labour’s candidate in Rangitīkei in the 2014 general election. In this post she sets out her preliminary views on National’s new tax.
CGT: the focus groups made Key do it
According to John Key the proposed tax on capital gains if a property is sold within two years of purchase is not a capital gains tax, there is no housing bubble in Auckland, and the proposed new tax does not represent a complete about face by the Government.
“The poor have a better life than King Henry VIII did” – Matthew Hooton
Just two years ago, leading lights in the neo-liberal cult were denying the existence of poverty in New Zealand. In the semi-public havens of the rich, it was the messengers who were being abused for rattling the neo-liberal cognitive dissonance with pesky facts and sympathetic portrayals of actual poor people.
Open mike 18/05/2015
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Capital gains tax to be introduced
National appears to be doing an about face on a Capital Gains Tax for housing.
Are the left really angry?
The latest attacks on the left involves the right claiming that left activists are too angry and hurting labour’s chances in the UK as well as New Zealand.
Human Synergistics, Richard Prebble, and the end of government
Back in March 1988 David Lange had a clear idea about what lay ahead for New Zealanders as the long-term consequences of Roger Douglas’ psychopathic worshipping of the metaphysical Invisible Hand gradually materialised.
Open mike 17/05/2015
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Robbie would be turning in his grave
Simon Bridges wants to ease Auckland’s congestion by investing more into local roads and less in rail. And by the looks of things he wants to politicise transport funding in a way that has not occurred for decades.
Auditor General rules on Dirty Politics allegation
The Auditor General has decided that Katherine Rich, head of the Food and Grocery Council which includes Coca Cola as well as Alcohol and Tobacco interests has no conflict in being a member of the Health Promotion Agency, a quango with the role of supporting healthy lifestyles.
Jon Stewart on Fox News on the poor
Unbelievable.
Your pre-budget speech
What would be in your budget speech if you were leader of the opposition?
Open mike 16/05/2015
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily Review 15/05/2015
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standarnistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other.
Grant Robertson’s pre-budget speech
Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson gave his pre-budget speech this morning. “So, what would a responsible government be doing in the Budget next week?”…
Farrar’s STD
David Farrar has a bad case of STD (Standard Titillation Disorder).
McCready back again on Key’s harassment
I’m all in favour of holding Key accountable for his actions in general, but not when the victim herself has asked McCready to desist. McCready should respect her wishes.
Finlayson calls Key wild eyed on National Radio
Chris Finlayson has described a comment made by John Key as “wild eyed stuff” on National Radio,
Wild weather
All the best to those coping with the wild weather or its aftermath. We’ll see lots of photos of floods and damage, but no discussion of the increasing risks of extreme weather.
Open mike 15/05/2015
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily Review
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standarnistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other.
Spy watchdog to investigate GCSB’s help for Groser’s campaign
Spy watchdog Cheryl Gwyn has announced an investigation into circumstances surrounding possible spying on our allies by the GCSB in support of Tim Groser’s tilt for the top WTO job.
McCready case thrown out
Given that Amanda Bailey asked McCready to withdraw his case, this is good news.
The surplus lie
One of the biggest political deceptions in our lifetime? Or just an honest mistake by our noble Finance Minister?
Calling people names
Pulling ponytails and calling people names – I guess it’s true, the PM is 11 years old.
English welcomes Reserve Bank doing his job for him
Why is it left to the Reserve Bank to try and tackle the property bubble? It’s true – this government is recklessly complacent.
Open mike 14/05/2015
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 13/05/2015
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standarnistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other.
Angry Andy, Creepy Key
Today’s social media lolz. There’s a difference between obvious attempts to astroturf a nickname and ones that have gone viral naturally.
TPPA circling the drain
As widely reported today, the TPPA has taken a probably fatal hit in the US Senate. Good riddance.
Live chat with Andrew Little
Stuff are running a live chat with Andrew Little at noon.
Farming prosecutions need to be part of health and safety programme
Half the workplace deaths in NZ last year were in agriculture. Already this year the toll has been massive.
Andrew Little’s pre budget speech
“National’s talk now is about how achieving surplus was an “artificial target” and that getting a surplus is “like landing a 747 on the head of a pin.” A lot of effort has gone into glossing over the broken promise. But I see it for what it is – one of the biggest political deceptions in a lifetime.”
ACTing all surprised about it
ACT’s David Seymour is acting all surprised about the damaging consequences of right-wing policies. It’s like he’s seeing the world for the first time.
Open mike 13/05/2015
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …