Air Luxon
Unemployment soars, as does the PM’s entitlement.
Just like a rollin' stone
I'm outside lookin' in
But if your chance came would you take it?
Where on earth do I begin?
Songwriters: Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman, Kevin Godley.
Unemployment is getting worse.
If you’ve been listening to the government for the past two years, you might be surprised to learn that, despite all the talk of green shoots and turning corners, the key measure of how well the economy is performing, unemployment, is worsening.
Stats NZ released the latest figures yesterday, and our unemployment rate is 5.6%, higher than forecast and the highest rate since September 2015 under the Key government.
The Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, who isn’t known for her empathy, said: “For the New Zealanders who’ve been out there looking for work in that environment, we know it’s been hard going.” Isn’t that a lovely sentiment, kind of like a hunter giving thanks to a creature they have just killed for its sacrifice.
Willis blamed Donald Trump for the figure, which made me wonder: if she thought employment was going to be affected, then maybe she should have provided more support to keep people in jobs temporarily, you know, as that other government did, the one that managed to keep unemployment lower than this, even during Covid.
Besides, there is only so much of this that Nicola can pin on the war in Iran; the truth is that unemployment has been steadily rising under this government, long before Trump’s ill-advised escapade began.
Nicola rolled out the usual spiel about National creating the conditions for businesses to grow and take on workers, but it seems that what that really means is putting pressure on the labour market to drive down real wages and employment.
The data also showed that more than a third of 15-to 24-year-olds are unemployed or underemployed, 180,000 of them. There needs to be some intervention; we need young people to learn trades and health sciences. With the advent of AI, we’re going to need fewer people studying STEM subjects, which we’ve been pushing with good reason for years, but things have changed.
There are so many jobs these young people could do, from installing solar panels at scale to working as orderlies in hospitals, which there aren’t enough of, by the way, to helping with flood cleanups. So many things they could be doing that would be more useful than sitting around unemployed as their self-esteem plummets.
Air Luxon, aka the NZDF.
Christopher Luxon has taken 41 military flights for purposes that were not emergencies or that warranted the use of the military. That's more than once a month.
He might think it makes him look powerful and important, but for a man who many regard as out of touch with average Kiwis and with a reputation for behaving in an entitled manner, it is not a good look.
Then yesterday it got worse, with the revelation that Mr Luxon had used the military for a purpose that many felt crossed the line. I posted:
Luxon using military flights to return from National Party fundraisers? Is there no end to the man’s sense of entitlement?
Dave summed it up, “The bottomless pit of privilege”.
Jeff wrote, “Perhaps he's the CEO of RNZAF now.”
Luxon defended the usage by saying he has a very busy job. I guess those hands at the fundraiser weren’t going to shake themselves.
Labour’s Chris Hipkins disagreed, saying, “Once you start doing campaigning and fundraising events for your political party, that’s a bright line, and Air Force resources should not be used for that under any circumstances.”
Hipkins continued, “He could have chosen not to attend a National Party fundraiser if attending Bill Birch’s funeral was that important to him.”
Needless to say, the PM didn’t see anything wrong in his actions, telling media, “The nature of the country, my schedule, my jobs, there are times where I have to use military craft.”
Whatever, maybe that’s the case when you’re delivering boxes of KFC to flood-hit regions, but not when you’re hanging around for a National Party fundraiser and also want to make it back to Bill Birch’s funeral. Which, with all due respect to the man, hardly qualifies as an emergency, and, besides, Luxon would’ve known the funeral time in advance. This use of the defence force wasn’t required; it was convenient.
Chris Hipkins said: “Taxpayers should not be paying for Christopher Luxon to travel from swanky National Party fundraising events at golf courses. The rules are there for a reason; the NZDF is not Luxon’s private fleet, and his use of it in this case is tone deaf and irresponsible.”
Once again, Chippy calls it correctly, the adult in the room.
In parliament yesterday Hipkins asked Luxon, “Can he name any other event in which any Prime Minister or Minister has used the air force in order to attend a party political fundraiser?” The PM rejected the question, which I assume meant he couldn’t think of one.
Hipkins followed up asking a more general question, “Why has he used the air force planes more than any other Prime Minister in New Zealand history?”
To which the PM quite extraordinarily replied: “Well, because I’m probably harder-working than the last two Prime Ministers.” I posted:
Luxon says he’s harder working than the last two PMs. Are you kidding? Hipkins and Ardern were always across everything, whereas this guy doesn’t seem to have even done the reading.
Irene commented, “He hasn't a clue; he has the minions running around doing all the leg work, while he sits back giving orders.”
Annette noted, “Golly, he really doesn't have an ounce of humility, does he? Vain and arrogant to the max.”
Andrew said, “Hard working, my foot!! Luxon doesn't even have a portfolio! The worst and most ill-prepared of any NZ PM in history!”
Elizabeth wrote, “I can’t remember a time when the NZ PM had no portfolios. Helen Clark was a very engaged Arts Minister who genuinely cared about NZ artists and was knowledgeable about their work. Ministers who work closely with public servants as policy is developed have a much deeper understanding of the issues, constraints, and policy gaps. This man just floats over the surface.”
It’s just bizarre that the PM without portfolio, a man who seems to delegate almost everything except handshakes and backslaps, should have such an opinion of himself.
Whether you agreed with everything Jacinda did or not, you’d be hard pushed to argue that she didn’t work her ass off, whereas Mr Luxon seems to be on holiday every other week, and he even delegates his media work to others.
Given the man’s elevated views of his own importance, I’m surprised he hasn’t demanded a private jet.
Maybe he’s saving that one for a second term, a reward for himself for duping the public into believing the promises of better days ahead once more? Or maybe we’ll trebuchet the guy out of there on the 7th November, no charge.
Have a good Thursday, folks, and keep warm.
Ngā mihi,
Nick.
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To end today, I couldn’t find a live performance to do this great track justice; it’s 10cc with I’m Mandy Fly Me.
I thought Luxaflake betrayed his attitude on TV3 News last night in a segment on employment and jobs, where he commented.............that more people were getting out and looking for work (that isn't there) and saying that that was a good thing..............from him who doesn't need a job...........had my blood boiling. More bashing of the not so entitled or sorted. He is soooooooooo out of touch he is floating in his own universe.................the line needs to be cut.
Best performing PM, yeah right! He will believe anything his party tells him as long as he gets to swan around playing at being a Prime Minister. Meanwhile the dirty work is done by all his minions. This includes keeping unemployment at a very high rate to drive wages down. Businesses do not want wages increasing. Poor form on all accounts.