National and Labour Policies

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tdgeek

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Topic # 222641 22-Aug-2017 08:47

Now that the election campaign is officially underway, and that the books are opened or being so, what is everyone's thoughts on good policy statements so far?

I'm liking Labours triangle of fastrail. They say thats half the population and economy, and with many that left AKL due to housing prices, seems to make sense to shift the masses by rail than one car per person

Also liking Nationals $18 doctor visit policy. $46 visits are bound to be tough for many, especially in winter with high power bills, and denser food being purchased

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Master Geek
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Reply # 1850623 22-Aug-2017 18:42

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I would like a bit more defined explanation of our current budget constraints and where the money for all of this is coming from before I make a decision.

If they cannot state categorically where its all coming from then its all just waving candy in front of people. That goes for both of them, although National seem to have suddenly found a lot more money laying around than the red side is mentioning so far.

Neither of them are mentioning anything forward thinking in the long-term which would impress me more. It is all now now now, and pandering to whatever everyone wants to hear.

tdgeek

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Reply # 1850671 22-Aug-2017 20:51

Oldmanakbar:

I would like a bit more defined explanation of our current budget constraints and where the money for all of this is coming from before I make a decision.

If they cannot state categorically where its all coming from then its all just waving candy in front of people. That goes for both of them, although National seem to have suddenly found a lot more money laying around than the red side is mentioning so far.

Neither of them are mentioning anything forward thinking in the long-term which would impress me more. It is all now now now, and pandering to whatever everyone wants to hear.

Agree.

What I hate about Labour is all these new goals

What I hate about National is all these new goals, when they had 9 years to build them

Unlike some here. Govt money isn't free. More taxes, less spending, more debt.

Im a swing voter. I dont look Blue although thats my usual flavour, I look leadership, policies, future. Both are centrist. Each leans a bit. There really isn't much in it, and if you like THIS or THAT it can be either. Im looking forward to more detail from Labour as they dont have the access to the books, and from Nats, as they do. From Winston too.

I like the rail triangle and the lower doctor visits. Neither affects me at all.

Aredwood

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Reply # 1850792 23-Aug-2017 00:01

Neither National or Labour appear to have any policies on sorting out the Resource Management Act. Or the councils and all of their silly rules that hold back house construction and construction in general. Virtually every other problem can be traced back to these 2 problems.

Especially as this causes high house prices, high power prices, makes any new transport project far more expensive, so not as much gets done. Makes rural farmland more expensive, so farmers cram more cows on the same land instead of buying more land. Therefore more water pollution.

So far it looks like I should be voting for NZ First or Act. But they both have reasons why I don't want to vote for them.

Wiggum

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Reply # 1850964 23-Aug-2017 08:45

Yesterday Jacinda made some very interesting comments, "Its time to talk about a republic" and

"That was the time to say, 'actually, where are we heading? What's the Crown's ongoing relationship with Maori if we transition into a republic? Where will we be in 20 years' time in this regard.'"

Maybe I have a bit in common with this woman after all. I would like to however see her view on what happens to the treaty if we become a republic. If its still going to be in place after a republic is formed, then it wont be getting my vote.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11908796

[Mod edit (MF): fixed name]

jonathan18

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Reply # 1851003 23-Aug-2017 09:19

Wiggum:

Seriously, that's the level things have stooped to already?! This kind of name-calling, no matter which 'side' that person is from, is just childish. It reminds me of Trump's "Crooked Hillary" - I guess the aim is to try to always associate the individual with the (in this case, apparently) negative trait. How about we leave this to the Stuff comments section? (The FUG bans us using derogatory names of companies; isn't this an equivalent?)

freitasm

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Reply # 1851032 23-Aug-2017 09:51

I have edited the offending post and warned the user. This is not acceptable.

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Wiggum

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Reply # 1851039 23-Aug-2017 10:02

Apologies guys. I will refrain from using this term again. I do hope though that the same will be expected both ways, ie no name calling for Dune/Winston/Trump/Dot Com etc..

freitasm

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Reply # 1851046 23-Aug-2017 10:07

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The FUG always applies, and humans should treat others with decency, even if they disagree in policy matters.

If you see a breach, report. We can't see everything. And if anyone does it repeatedly, it's a ban.

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Oldmanakbar

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Reply # 1851057 23-Aug-2017 10:18

On the actual question of what I like or not with regards to the policies.

Yeah the National cheaper doctors visits for those that cannot afford it is a nice idea, and I agree with it in principle. But that is a lot of money, where is it coming from? What is it at the expense of?

Labours rail thing, yeah nice idea I suppose. But without a plan to drastically improve the infrastructure there to allow for modernisation that will have a large impact I just do not see the point. Its still going to be snail-rail, its still going to have bottlenecks and will not attract anywhere near the passenger numbers needed to subsidise it. If you want to allow people to commute easily between cities then it needs to be properly done with dedicated hubs, high-speed lines and plans for the city centres at either end. Thats a huge long-term plan that should have large amounts of social and infrastructure policies attached to it. And it doesn't.

Neither party has weighed in with actual budgetry or financial policy of any substance yet, I am waiting for that.

To make my opinions a bit clearer with what way I lean, I do not agree with the fact they stopped paying into the Cullen fund. That just kind of pissed me off, and I don't really trust national anymore. I am open to be being convinced. I was actually thinking of throwing my toys this election as I did not think anyone could govern.

However with the changes to labour recently (and yes I do think a change of guard can actually have an impact to a political party) my attitude has moved from one of "they all suck, and couldn't run a petrol station" to "maybe, why not...I suppose". My vote will be decided on if I think the greens will get below 5% or not I think. I am more likely to vote Labour if I think they are gone as they have quite obviously lost the plot and should not be trusted with anything (My opinion, mileage may vary). It would take a lot currently to switch my vote to blue.

Hell I might just decide im a grumpy old fart and wake up and vote Winston in protest :)

freitasm

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Reply # 1851068 23-Aug-2017 10:35

Protest votes end up with a local Trump version.

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Pumpedd

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Reply # 1851098 23-Aug-2017 11:04

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So far all we are seeing is Jacinda.....no real policies going on here at all...just vague statements...very dismal really.

National are unveiling massive policy which is quite good, but also dismal that after 9 years in power wait to they are close to defeat in the polls to announce substantive policy. Take the $19 doctor visits..thats about what it was 9 years ago, but National let inflation erode it away.

Varkk

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Reply # 1851219 23-Aug-2017 12:51

Oldmanakbar:

On the actual question of what I like or not with regards to the policies.

Yeah the National cheaper doctors visits for those that cannot afford it is a nice idea, and I agree with it in principle. But that is a lot of money, where is it coming from? What is it at the expense of?

Can't really talk about numbers until after the PREFU from Treasury which is today. Now that everyone gets to see the state of the finances they can make definitive plans on how to spend and save.

Oldmanakbar

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Reply # 1851262 23-Aug-2017 13:46

I agree, which is why I am always bemused they release policies around spending before they have a tally of what is in the piggy bank.

National obviously have a fair idea which is why they have released more, the inference being it is currently akin to Scrooge McDucks swimming pool. Which always seems to suddenly be the case around election time.

We shall see I suppose. The debate(s) I think will be interesting as most of the juicy stuff should be out by then. Not sure why the Maori channel had its one before everything was on offer.

Rikkitic

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Reply # 1851382 23-Aug-2017 16:51

No income tax hike under Labour. No doubt some will be surprised/disappointed/disbelieving.

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JayADee

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Reply # 1851633 24-Aug-2017 07:33

Rikkitic:
No income tax hike under Labour. No doubt some will be surprised/disappointed/disbelieving.

That article also said wages are stagnant and National ruled out tax cuts.

Quote: 'She also welcomed confirmation from National it would not make further tax cuts in the near future.'

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