The People Have the Power
Tax relief that doesn't cut it and a Living Wage deserved by all.
I was dreaming in my dreaming
of an aspect bright and fair
and my sleeping it was broken
but my dream it lingered near
in the form of shining valleys
where the pure air recognised
and my senses newly opened
I awakened to the cry
that the people have the power
to redeem the work of fools
upon the meek the graces shower
it's decreed the people rule
The people have the power
If you know that song you’re probably singing along, maybe bopping your head and smiling. I know at least one of you is, but more on that in a bit. A fabulous song, if you’re not humming now I bet you will be if you listen at the end.
Great lyrics too. So many things are the way they are just because they’re like that. We do things, because it’s what we do, what we’ve always done. While other things are deemed impossible, even if polls show that most people want them. Things we shouldn’t even dream of, that are unrealistic.
But we realise, perhaps as we get older, or something happens in our lives, that that’s all fundamentally, if you’ll excuse the ‘f’ word, bullshit. But if we’re going to get past all that manure we need to rise above things that are unimportant.
I’m talking about things like law and order, or the economy. They’re irrelevant - politically.
Irrelevant in the sense that whether Labour or National are in power things tend to be about the same. Despite all the rhetoric if you look at the trends, both in terms of economic performance and the level of violent crime, whichever major party is in government doesn’t seem to have very much effect at all.
So if those things, that some politicians like to talk about a lot even though they’ll do essentially nothing to impact them, are irrelevant, then elections are simply about the levers of equality. How much should the wealthy contribute? What is the base standard that we as a society expect for people?
Last year Kiwis voted for less spending by the state and more money in their pockets, and if the living standards of those with the least had to drop a bit - well, that was ok.
Voters said it was fine to kick the can down the climate change highway a bit further. Trashing the natural environment was sweet as. And if waiting lists had to get a bit longer - well not to worry, because nudge nudge wink wink - it’s only going to be those back office staff, those useless pen-pushers, who get the boot.
Pour some sugar on me.
Today sees the arrival of National’s much vaunted tax cuts. The spoonful of sugar that’s supposed to help us swallow the castor oil they’ve been serving.
Needless to say they’re hyping it for all it’s worth, although to be honest these guys don’t seem to have left campaign mode since the election. Perhaps that’s for the best - think how much carnage they could be causing if they didn’t spend so much of their time laser focussed on an election that’s more than two years away?
But fair play, it’s understandable that they want to make a big deal about it, it’s their big shot that has to make up for all the other stuff they’ve been doing, or are yet to do.
Those extra dollars each week will need to be of more value than the thousands of job cuts, the attacks on Māori, a smaller increase in the minimum wage, borrowing the money for the tax cuts and having to pay it back, doing less on climate change, increasing public transport costs, and so many things… all the way down to the removal of free prescriptions.
If the extra doesn’t cut it that means people are worse off under this government. The negatives have outweighed the positives. It’s all been for nothing, and you have to ask why? Like for example this bizarre change in spending:
As you’re probably aware Casey Costello is reducing the tax on Heated Tobacco Products (HTP), which Tobacco giant Philip Morris have been lobbying for. This report indicates that the government has set aside $216m to cover the lost revenue, which is an incredible amount considering that the tax take on HTPs last year was less than $6m.
Not for the first time you have to wonder what on earth Costello is up to? She’s not saying, refusing to give interviews and answers from her office are not forthcoming.
The report also indicates that:
Two senior corporate communication positions at Philip Morris are held by people who previously held senior roles in the New Zealand First party.
David Broome, chief of staff for NZ First between 2014 and 2017, is external relations manager at Philip Morris.
Apirana Dawson - who was director of operations and research in the office of Winston Peters between 2013 and 2017 and led the election campaigns for the party in 2014 and 2017 - has been director of external affairs and communications at Philip Morris since January 2021.
Incredibly the tax cut may not even be passed onto consumers. The cabinet paper saying, “Because this product currently has a monopoly market in New Zealand, the extent to which a reduction in excise duty on HTPs would be passed on to consumers via lower retail prices is unclear.”
So this money, almost double the $116m that ditching free prescriptions was supposed to save over five years, is going where exactly? Straight to Philip Morris’ bottom line? Or who knows where?
It was an excellent report from Guyon Espiner, but at the same time Christopher Luxon, who should be watching Ms Costello very closely, was given an easy ride in yesterday morning’s RNZ interview.
Many RNZ listeners are far from excited at the changing style of interviews. Where once Susie might have disembowelled a less than forthcoming politician before breakfast, things are rather friendlier for our political leaders these days.
I don’t mind Corin Dann, you can tell he wants to ask the hard questions, even if he appears to pull his punches at times in a way Susie or Kim wouldn’t have. But the person some were comparing Ingrid Hipkiss to yesterday was Jessica Mutch McKay - and that’s not a compliment when it comes to political interviews.
It’s incredible that the media are not jumping up and down even more over the fact that Costello is to all intents and purposes a Tobacco industry stooge elevated to parliamentarian courtesy of the NZ First list. From whence have come a parade of pantomime villains over the years but perhaps none so overwhelming, absurdly working against the interests of the electorate as Casey is, and for who knows what?
There must be something, surely? Otherwise the only other conclusion I can think of is that she has some weird cancer fetish. Why else would she be devoting her time in government to making it easier for people to use tobacco? Here are some of the replies:
John: “I wonder how much the tobacco industry donated to get a $216 million return?”
Mike: “Total tax collected off HTP is $8 million in 2022-23, so why the figure of $216million? Something smells here, and its not Casey Costello reeking of tobacco smoke....”
Louise, last spotted in central Greece, paused from consulting the Oracle at Delphi to say, “My dad when he was alive would have said they’re all arse about face!”
Julia: “More necrocapitalism. They are literally out to kill us with tobacco, high speed limits, underfunded and staffed healthcare, Covid....”
So there’s a new word. “Necrocapitalism - A form of capitalism where a country’s trade and industry are founded on, linked to and dependent directly or indirectly on death and the profits accruing from it.”
That certainly sounds like what the Minister’s doing, by assisting Big Tobacco.
Casey Costello has really challenged my assumptions. Before she turned up I thought it was a safe assumption that her NZ First colleague Shane Jones was the most bare-faced, blatantly corrupt member in our parliament.
A lot of people may look at the absurdity of losing free prescriptions, in order to fund a cut to tobacco tax, and question whether it was such a good idea after all.
The cost of living is challenging, and among those struggling the most are people on the minimum wage. They’ve lost far more through the election of this government than they will be reimbursed via tax cuts. The gap between what they earn and what it costs to live a life beyond mere survival grows ever wider.
Is this what National meant by Back On Track? Making life harder for those with the least?
No wonder they choose to dress things up with all that nonsense about law and order and prudent economic management - it has to be an easier sell than taking from the poor and giving to those who have enough.
I reckon most Kiwis would agree that people working full time should have enough to cover the basics and a little extra. Isn’t that the whole social contract? You do the mahi you get at least the occasional treat - you deserve to get a Living Wage.
Power to Win
In March the government moved the minimum wage by a paltry 2%, from $22.70 to $23.15 per hour, which is pathetic when you consider the rate of inflation.
At the same time the Living Wage was increased to $27.80 per hour – up $1.80 on last year’s rate. That reflected the increase in the cost of living over the last year, as well as the ongoing short fall between the minimum wage and what it costs to live a life beyond servitude.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Living Wage you can find a short Q&A here.
All of this is why we have a Living Wage Movement. About a week ago I was contacted by your fellow reader Lyndy McIntyre about a book she has written about that fight, and the upcoming launch in Tamaki Makaurau.
We had a chat about the merits of this government and mid winter swimming, plus of course the Living Wage Movement. At this point I’ll hand things over to Lyndy…
On 8 August at 6pm a new book will be launched. Power to Win is all about people power – the people power that drives the Living Wage Movement.
The author, Lyndy McIntyre, has had over 40 years’ experience in lots of different unions in Aotearoa. Power to Win demonstrates why working in the Living Wage Movement has been the highlight of her working life. It’s a book packed with workers’ stories — stories about building power in the community to win a decent wage for thousands of low-paid workers.
The Living Wage Movement emerged in 2012 as a new way to address poverty pay. It came out of the Service and Food Workers Union, but the movement built a partnership of diverse organisations across unions, faith groups and community.
Over the past 12 years the Living Wage Movement has won campaigns in wealthy corporates, local and central government and in small businesses and NGOs. These campaigns have transformed the lives of thousands of low-paid workers.
Power to Win tells the story of the movement – how it got started, how it works and how it’s message of hope and building people power for change is needed now more than ever.
“Power to Win is the record of an extraordinarily successful movement. It is a celebration of hope and an inspiring read. This book shows that communities have power and that change can happen.” - Otago University Press.
“This is a vitally important story that deserves to be told.” - Sue Bradford.
Power to Win Auckland launch:
6pm, 8 August
Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road.
All welcome.
Please rsvp to oup.nz/power-to-win-auckland-launch
Thanks very much for those words Lyndy, and for the vital work undertaken to help many live more fulfilling lives. People our Prime Minister thinks of as Bottom Feeders.
Gotta say I felt a bit emotional typing that last bit. How bloody dare he talk about people like that, caring so little? Thank goodness for people like Lyndy and the Living Wage Movement.
In keeping with the spirit of today’s newsletter I have a special of 20% off for the next year that anyone who’s earning the living wage, or less, is welcome to take advantage of. That makes an annual subscription $68, or a monthly one $6.39, for the next year. The special is available until Friday.
Today’s fabulous song was chosen by Lyndy, who said, “My partner, Marion and I have sung this at midnight every New Year’s Eve for many years. That’s hope for you!”
Hope you’re ready to sing along. 🙂
New Zealanders wanted a change and the change was complicated because National did not win enough votes to govern alone. Those who voted for the three coalition parties were duped by propaganda and false promises. What did they get? Incompetent power hungry egocentrics who have made policies on the run ignoring advice and research. The biggest loss to all of us was the trust in the PM and the government. They are not transparent and hide behind endless propaganda and falsehoods. As a result our diversity, health ,education, policing and living wage have suffered. History will show that this political era destroyed the public faith in providing fair and equitable outcomes for all.
I've probably said this before, (age, repeating myself, all of that!) but anyway, I cannot think of a single positive thing this government has done. They are not building up, but instead, tearing down. There's just nothing that's going to make Aotearoa/New Zealand a better and happier place. Luxon still talks corporate speak and we don't know what he's on about. I'm not sure that he knows either.
Where do we go from here?