It really is sobering stuff from Statistics New Zealand today with pretty big price increases in basic items. Everything is up, meat, vegetables, milk. As the Stats NZ Prices Manager said
“Although food prices are now 2.2 percent higher than a year ago, they are 12.0 percent higher than two years ago,” Mr Pike said.
This is putting a lot of pressure on people on low to middle incomes. I have seen some people in real distress in my own electorate, and social services agencies have been reporting big increases in clients. I was in Whanganui last week, and the City Mission there is struggling to cope with people looking for support, including food parcels.
Surely in the face of this the government has to re-think an increase in GST?
Posted in Tax, GST and Cost of Living. |
Oh dear. I think this article in the Guardian from yesterday (their time) is going to haunt New Zealanders living overseas.
New Zealanders have long endured jokes about the extent to which they are outnumbered by sheep. But now Kiwis can expect more variety in the gags, with the country’s national statistical office announcing that the population has also been overtaken by that of dairy cattle. Statistics New Zealand’s agricultural production survey, released today, reported that the cows’ numbers soared to 5.8 million in 2009. New Zealand has a human population of 4.3 million.
I think every New Zealander travelling overseas has experienced sheep “humour”, this adds to the arsenal. My favourite quote in the article is
“In 2009, New Zealand had fewer than eight sheep per person,” explained agriculture statistics manager Gary Dunnet.
Only eight sheep each. I can hear the jokes now.
Posted in Agriculture and Humour. |
In the fine print of the PMs statement there is a bit more light on National’s plans for student loans. As noted on Red Alert last week John Key’s appointment of Steven Joyce as Tertiary Minister was an indication that National had plans in this area. The PM has denied that major changes are afoot, but there are some issues at “the margins”.
But in the PMs statement yesterday we have the following
We will also take a careful look at the policy settings around student support to ensure that taxpayers generosity is not being expolited by those refuse to take their tertiary studies seriously, or who show little inclination to transition from tertiary training into work.
That translates to limits on student support- allowances and loans. It sounds like a time limit on how long it is available or being cut off in the event of failure. If this is the direction this would have serious consequences for participation in tertiary education. It ignores the reality that not everyone succeds right away in tertiary study, and raises questions about post graduate study or second degrees.
This is not tinkering at the margins.
Posted in Uncategorized. |
Jim Anderton has just drawn Parliament’s attention to this quote from John Key in October 2008.
National leader John Key said told a press conference this morning that if National is elected and does a “half decent job” at growing the economy, then increasing GST and the top tax rate will not be necessary
Now that is a serious level of self- reflection!
UPDATE: Its been pointed out that a hat tip is due to Jake Quinn over at Life and Politics was onto this earlier this afternoon.
Posted in GST. |
One of the biggest dangers in politics is over-hyping. It is hard to resist in this age of 24 hours news, and the need to keep the press gallery happy. If we were to believe the media of recent days John Key’s opening statement was going to deliver the plan for a step change in our economy. Key was to regail us with the plan, missing for all of the first year in government.
Well the postman has not delivered. We have some vague promises on tax, and a lot of rehashed social policy. An increase in GST, but no commitment to how he will compensate those on low incomes who will be the most effected. There is a sudden interest in research and development, after having cut the $700 million Fast Forward fund and the R+D tax credits.
For me it fails develop a vision for helping to create jobs, to develop the skills of New Zealanders and a sustainable economy and fairer society for the future.
UPDATE: Seems John Armstrong was not that impressed either. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10625081
Posted in Economy. |
