Excellent analysis yet again Nick thanks. I thought it was a very good budget too. And, yes, 'there was nothing in it for me' but I don't need anything for 'me' and I never expected anything for 'me'. But I am very pleased it's going to make a big difference to many people who actually need it. Christopher Luxon seems to lack the ability to pivot which is pretty scary if he ever does become PM (god help us all!)
To think that the Nats would reinstate the $5 charge just shows how utterly unfit to govern they are , you would have to go back a long way in NZ history for something quite so petty and mean spirited I would think.
When the leader and deputy leader of National use a term like "gas lighting" they should look at them selves. In my view Nick's definition of the term fits with what Opposition parties have been doing now for nearly 6 years.
A good and sensible budget for the times we are in, and with an election lnot far away.
As a great grandmother I am pleased to see ECE getting some assistance, and for people with health issues getting free prescriptions again. This has been a major barrier for people unable to pick up their meds. Only a scrooge would think about reversing this policy.
There is solid evidence for the need to do somethng about pharmacy charges. I think the figure was 130 thousand scripts a year that aren't picked up. If people have several scripts at once the cost can be prohibitive. I have at times only picked up a couple and have left the rest for a week or two later..Nicola Willis said universally not having a charge for scripts was "shocking" and there are better ways of helping people -targeting those who can't afford to pay. She blatted on about Chemist Warehouse not charging for scripts. I imagine the small, local phrmacies will not be thanking her for that advocacy.. She said National would reimpose the $5 charge . Poor old Christopher Luxon-he reallylet the government have it-well he tried. Grant Robertson's response was sharp, and to the point. He said even Luxons own people are calling him Captain Cliche.ouch!
as maori i have to say that we did get our rose, or more like a bunch of roses with the increased funding for matatini. its been a long campaign to get there. i can hear the racists spitting their dummies over that. does nothing for poverty or climate change but it feels wonderful that life can be a bit easier for those of us who carry on such an inspiring tradition year after year.
I am offended that jenna called me a loser but glad to see the nats put in such a poor showing.
p.s. love Beck, and after that video, youtube delivered up Blid Melon - No Rain, seems appropriate too.
Hi Janet, I can delete comments but not edit them I am afraid. You should have an edit option on the three little dots under your comment, to the right of the "reply" button. In any case I'm sure we all know what you meant :)
Our local community chemists will be glad the $5 prescription charge is going. Multinational chains like Chemist Warehouse were undercutting them by advertising free prescriptions. Especially now, with our medical services under strain, our local pharmacist is an important part of the system. They know their community and they CARE. Unlike Chemist Warehouse etc.
Thanks for your valuable analysis Nick. I'm happy with it, especially when I hear that it doesn't give National much wiggle room.
After hearing that there have been diabetics unable to afford their prescription medicine and even transplant patients unable to afford their anti rejection meds, the dropping of prescription charges is massive. It is gob smacking that National has already promised to reinstate the $5 charge.
I too would be happy with more borrowing for capital spending, but I recognise there is an election to win.
I can not believe the cheek of NewsHub, rolling out the same "random member of the public" time and time again for an "alternative" viewpoint who just happens to be a National supporter. I'm not sure why they didn't go to John Key, or Max or Luxon - with his "just a member of the public" hat on. Thanks for exposing to those of us with leaky memories.
Don't start me on the National Party's complete reliance on buzzwords and catch-phrases. It just makes them sound stupid IMO, and I'm fairly sure that Luxon's poor showing in the polls is a direct result of this. "Gaslighting" is a classic. Thanks for highlighting.
Excellent analysis yet again Nick thanks. I thought it was a very good budget too. And, yes, 'there was nothing in it for me' but I don't need anything for 'me' and I never expected anything for 'me'. But I am very pleased it's going to make a big difference to many people who actually need it. Christopher Luxon seems to lack the ability to pivot which is pretty scary if he ever does become PM (god help us all!)
100% Agree...when did people start obsessing over, "What's in it for me?"
Exactly!
To think that the Nats would reinstate the $5 charge just shows how utterly unfit to govern they are , you would have to go back a long way in NZ history for something quite so petty and mean spirited I would think.
I completely agree. Well said.
When the leader and deputy leader of National use a term like "gas lighting" they should look at them selves. In my view Nick's definition of the term fits with what Opposition parties have been doing now for nearly 6 years.
Great budget for the times we are in. Agree 8/10!
A good and sensible budget for the times we are in, and with an election lnot far away.
As a great grandmother I am pleased to see ECE getting some assistance, and for people with health issues getting free prescriptions again. This has been a major barrier for people unable to pick up their meds. Only a scrooge would think about reversing this policy.
Scrooge, and Nicola Willis.
There is solid evidence for the need to do somethng about pharmacy charges. I think the figure was 130 thousand scripts a year that aren't picked up. If people have several scripts at once the cost can be prohibitive. I have at times only picked up a couple and have left the rest for a week or two later..Nicola Willis said universally not having a charge for scripts was "shocking" and there are better ways of helping people -targeting those who can't afford to pay. She blatted on about Chemist Warehouse not charging for scripts. I imagine the small, local phrmacies will not be thanking her for that advocacy.. She said National would reimpose the $5 charge . Poor old Christopher Luxon-he reallylet the government have it-well he tried. Grant Robertson's response was sharp, and to the point. He said even Luxons own people are calling him Captain Cliche.ouch!
10/10 for Nick.
as maori i have to say that we did get our rose, or more like a bunch of roses with the increased funding for matatini. its been a long campaign to get there. i can hear the racists spitting their dummies over that. does nothing for poverty or climate change but it feels wonderful that life can be a bit easier for those of us who carry on such an inspiring tradition year after year.
I am offended that jenna called me a loser but glad to see the nats put in such a poor showing.
p.s. love Beck, and after that video, youtube delivered up Blid Melon - No Rain, seems appropriate too.
And for Willis to announce that the nats would repeal - Labour's decision to remove prescription charges - is the final nail in lux-on's coffin.
Agreed. What a ridiculous man.
Nick I made a mistake in my comment below - can you please change it to "we" are in
Sometimes I write too fast.....
Hi Janet, I can delete comments but not edit them I am afraid. You should have an edit option on the three little dots under your comment, to the right of the "reply" button. In any case I'm sure we all know what you meant :)
Our local community chemists will be glad the $5 prescription charge is going. Multinational chains like Chemist Warehouse were undercutting them by advertising free prescriptions. Especially now, with our medical services under strain, our local pharmacist is an important part of the system. They know their community and they CARE. Unlike Chemist Warehouse etc.
Important point about the big budget for infrastructure.
Thanks for your valuable analysis Nick. I'm happy with it, especially when I hear that it doesn't give National much wiggle room.
After hearing that there have been diabetics unable to afford their prescription medicine and even transplant patients unable to afford their anti rejection meds, the dropping of prescription charges is massive. It is gob smacking that National has already promised to reinstate the $5 charge.
I too would be happy with more borrowing for capital spending, but I recognise there is an election to win.
I can not believe the cheek of NewsHub, rolling out the same "random member of the public" time and time again for an "alternative" viewpoint who just happens to be a National supporter. I'm not sure why they didn't go to John Key, or Max or Luxon - with his "just a member of the public" hat on. Thanks for exposing to those of us with leaky memories.
Don't start me on the National Party's complete reliance on buzzwords and catch-phrases. It just makes them sound stupid IMO, and I'm fairly sure that Luxon's poor showing in the polls is a direct result of this. "Gaslighting" is a classic. Thanks for highlighting.
This: " If a young family gets better early childhood education then we all win, our society wins."
Thanks Nick - it's so important we embrace this more collectivist philosophy openly and proudly.