Our new coalition government.

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#2142679 10-Dec-2018 17:24

The Coalitions' record to date is not exactly stellar but it is not quite a train wreck. The Lees-Galloway issues still needs addressing. The alternative to the Coalition however is just too hideous to contemplate right now.

networkn

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#2142682 10-Dec-2018 17:30

I am not saying *everything* is a train wreck, that phrase was specifically aimed at Kiwibuild.

Rikkitic

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#2142694 10-Dec-2018 18:20

Breaking news: The government is not increasing a tax. Actually, it is an ACC levy, as just reported on One News. Also, they are actually reducing another levy, which is (shock! horror!) expected to benefit small businesses. The world has been turned on its head!

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

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#2142695 10-Dec-2018 18:21

MikeB4:
The Coalitions' record to date is not exactly stellar but it is not quite a train wreck. The Lees-Galloway issues still needs addressing. The alternative to the Coalition however is just too hideous to contemplate right now.

Twyford is also having a ‘mare.

Kiwibuild is being shown up as an Ill-considered sham on many different levels. Topped off with the CEO going AWOL and even more obfuscation from the minister and PMs office about what’s going on.

And now another CEO from one of his portfolios has resigned:

@rnz_news:
NZTA chief executive Fergus Gammie has tendered his resignation and it’s been accepted by the board

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#2142696 10-Dec-2018 18:23

@Rikkitic How do you consider a levy to be different to a tax?

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#2142706 10-Dec-2018 18:53

A levy is a tax for a specific purpose.

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#2142707 10-Dec-2018 18:59

networkn:

tdgeek:

I am, and I was ticked off by someone here for not adding the /S to indicate that. This post is quite common, using an assumption passed off as a fact. That is a train wreck. It would be great to have real discussion here, more often. Which does happen from time to time by opposing posters. Its not all about bashing, there are many facets involved rather than one party is super, the other is rubbish

The problem is that the moment someone is even *mildly* critical of the current government, it's "biased" or "a right wing echo chamber".

It's entirely fair and reasonable to be critical when someone doesn't do their job properly.

It is NOT an assumption that Kiwibuild to this point, is a trainwreck, there is plenty to point to that, from the numbers claimed of houses that would be built, to the stupidly high income thresholds, to the prices increasing, to the low number of people who have actually applied let alone gone near it, to the language used by the Minister that got tsk tsked by his boss, to the CEO resigning after only 5 months, (I am trying to find the article that mentioned that Labour had bought (not built) a group of properties in central Auckland, and are selling them at a loss to meet the agreed increased price) and on and on and on. There are plenty of "facts" to support this, simply pick up a news paper or open a news website, or google Kiwibuild. How much "evidence" would you like?

In my view it's just a matter of time till more comes out about the mismanagement of this from Twyford and he is removed from this project. Seems inevitable to me that Shane Jones will end up in hot water over the spending of the regional fund, either misspending he had no direct knowledge of but oversaw, or poor return on what is spent. I expect some of this to be fairly large sums of misspent or wasted money.

In my view, Labour should have underpromised on 1 or 2 big policies and absolutely nailed them.

First point is wrong. These threads are all about anti Labour bias. They are not about discussing the new Coalition Govt. That extremely obvious. Thats fine, but its extremely one sided. Criticise National and the daggers come out.

Everybody here agrees re Kiwibuild, so there is no argument there, so unsure why you raised it, I have criticised it many times, with why. While on this point, its a good idea ion principle, but the horse has already bolted. The prices nationwide are too high to support new builds, thats a factor for the industry as a whole, the buyers aren't there. That should have been patently obvious to anyone following the market. You cant build houses for those that cannot afford them. Its not mismanagement at all, they created a venture where there are few buyers. Its a policy fail, it should have encompassed many factors, such as supporting subdivision of 1/4 acre properties, apartments, buying cheap but solid homes and renovating them (if thats still viable now)

Under promising isn't bold. Make it a solid target, if you achieve 80% its still a win, but 100,000 houses??

Its barely past 1/3 term, surplus was fine, things are moving, its not a trainwreck.

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#2142710 10-Dec-2018 19:07

Kiwibuild CEO did not resign. Employment dispute:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109227664/kiwibuild-head-in-employment-dispute-with-government-has-not-resigned

Clearly that won't change any opinions here ; )

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#2142712 10-Dec-2018 19:18

networkn:

I haven't analyzed this, however, I do wonder what the cost of the family rescue packages Labour has put together, including a entirely non targeted heating rebate (as in my in laws got it and they don't even remotely need it), cost Taxpayers vs what the tax cuts would have saved. The Tax cuts would have ended up back in the economy anyway.

If you take the OTHER policies National promised, and compare those to what Labour will ACTUALLY deliver (vs their promised amounts), how much difference do you think there would be? Healthcare spending looks pretty similar... Education spending isn't possible to determine to date because we don't know what that will cost yet, but it's at least somewhat unlikely that we would be having strikes under National.

My ongoing frustration with Labour is the way they deliver policies. There is *no* excuse for non targeted heating rebates. It could have been done on application only, meaning you had to apply to get it, and this would have saved how much money? All those people who didn't need it ? Same with the education policies. They could have made the free years education for the *last* year only.

I am not sure I entirely agree that the tax cuts were an election bribe. It certainly wasn't a factor in my voting decision. The people it likely would have swayed were the people who could have used the money the most any way.

My gripe is that tax cuts go to everyone. Many dont need it, its better to give more to less people, i.e. the low income earners. More people in Labour would nat tax cuts, but they didnt vote on that. The winter heating rebate is targeted.

You'll automatically get the Winter Energy Payment if you’re getting:

I cant copy it, NZ Super, veterans benefit, Jobseeker, Solo Parent, Supported Living, Young parent payment, Youth payment, emergency benefit, emergency maintenance allowance.

You cant compare Nationals promises with Labours delivery. Promises to promises, delivery to delivery. if you recall the 2008 election, National was bereft of promises, so I guess they met that. I compare what National did, and left in the lurch. Education, Health and Transport are the three big ones there. You can excuse National but if they deliver surpluses and election tax cuts you have to wonder why we still have issues. had they been dealing with these as well as they could, Bill would be PM, no question. To me, thats the issue. Under performed, yet the books didnt under perform, that to me is a mismatch.

The 3 year varsity policy, I'm ok with. I dont see kids who cant be bothered going to Uni, going now for something to do. I can see those whose parents cannot help, getting a chance. I.m 6.5 out of 10 on that one.

I agree we are unlikely to have had strikes, but who knows, These sectors have been TOLD that there is no more money. If they strike there is no way they can achieve anything, for obvious reasons, under National. Had National won, these sectors would still be wild, they woke have to have something, and what Labour has offered is still not enough. Tipping point and strikes or not, hard to know.

I voted for Labour due to underfunding, thats it. Had Adern not been there, I would have voted NZF for the sole reason to get some voice, force a coalition.

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#2142714 10-Dec-2018 19:21

gzt: Kiwibuild CEO did not resign. Employment dispute:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109227664/kiwibuild-head-in-employment-dispute-with-government-has-not-resigned

Clearly that won't change any opinions here ; )

I never said he resigned.
But I’m pretty sure that most ministers would rather be dealing with another resignation than an(other) employment dispute with a CEO. After the Derek Handley fiasco, this is the last thing that they need.

(And before anymore nitpicking happens, yes, I know that Hendley was not for a CEO role, but it was still at the Executive level)

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#2142716 10-Dec-2018 19:23

MikeB4:

The Coalitions' record to date is not exactly stellar but it is not quite a train wreck. The Lees-Galloway issues still needs addressing. The alternative to the Coalition however is just too hideous to contemplate right now.

Thats my feeling. Its early, new people, mistakes were made and will be made, but the direction is what I favour. Its going ok. My pass mark is 6/10. If it was all going swimmingly it would only be a 7 max. Results will tell the story, thats 2 years away. How one policy goes also isnt a result to me, you can get 10/10 on one policy and falter on many, so lets see. I also want to see what national does policy wise, they can bank the cash and say how good we are doing. The next election will cover handouts and promises, I just hope it doesn't come down to a handout fest, and I refer to both parties.

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#2142724 10-Dec-2018 19:44

A couple of transport news items today

https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/business/109066703/cambridge-train-still-a-possibility-as-part-of-hamiltonauckland-growth-corridor-plan

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/109240863/nzta-confirm-route-for-taki-to-north-of-levin-expressway

Bluntj

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#2142751 10-Dec-2018 20:41

Rikkitic:

A levy is a tax for a specific purpose.

Like petrol tax ?

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#2142819 10-Dec-2018 22:29

I suppose. What is your point?

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#2142822 10-Dec-2018 22:31

Bluntj:

Rikkitic:

A levy is a tax for a specific purpose.

Like petrol tax ?

Yes. The Petrol Tax you refer to, about 90% is a general contribution to the National Land Transport Fund. About 10% is for ACC as a general contribution to the ACC costs for vehicle related claims

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