Absolutely not. It's mind bogling really the number of times a minister has stated....I got advice but I decided to go ahead anyway. (Or words to that effect). And don't get me started on the under urgency rort.
I've been impressed by Labour's policies to date. All of these policies will absolutely benefit everybody in this Cost of Living crisis, and that surely is a win for all in Aotearoa.
Thanks also for providing information about Dame Jools poroporoaki. I hadn't realized this was happening today.
Have a great Friday Nick and an even better weekend.
🤔 The arguments about the "wealthy & sorted" being able to access FREE transport (after cap is reached) & free prescriptions, 3 free GP visits etc make me laugh out loud! On the one hand the NACTLast coalition enables the "wealthy & sorted" to avoid paying tax commensurate with their income, tilts the playing field so that they can gain even more unearned obscene wealth (hence an increase in billionaires & millionaires at time we have record youth unemployment), and goes out of their way to ensure the baubles of office are exploited on top of their generous Parliamentary salaries & Superannuation etc, and then expects us to believe they are concerned these same people will take advantage of a free prescription for $5, or hop off their yatch or out of their Porce or helicopter & ride for free on public transport??? Yes, they probably will get free prescriptions because NO-ONE WILL ASK HOW MUCH THEY EARN when they go to the Chemist which in that respect makes them on a level playing field with the rest of us, but come on - many of them are ripping the tax-payer off for much more than a measley $5 by minimising tax & maximising tax breaks & incentives etc, and paying mega-bucks to the political parties they expect to continue to make it easiest to increase their wealth at the expense of the people actually doing the mahi.
I have spent some time this morning watching the unveiling of the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago, & aside from the high profile performances & guests, it was so refreshing to hear & see such positivity & empathy, while also reminding me how different the USA is right now, with one of our own, Everlee Wihongi STILL locked up in I.C.E. detention despite the supposed excuse for this having been vacated days ago. Not to forget an obviously senile & irrational President trying to destroy whatever was good about the America the Obamas (& Joe Biden) left for the country & the world.
But the Obamas reminded us that we all have a CHOICE about how we treat others, who we vote for, what kind of world we put our energy towards creating - of course this is 💯% applicable to Aotearoa, especially when we have more power in an election year to oppose & possibly halt damaging policy, and absolutely elect better MPs & better political leaders than the sorry lot we have right now.
As for saying good-bye to Dame Jools 😢 One of the Untouchable Girls who was literally the soundtrack to my life - A person of courage, mana, empathy & integrity who showed the power of "choices" her whole adult life, and empowered many by her example 🫂
This is such a good topic. I saw your post on FB saying Labour's policies are good because we can talk about tax. You're right. The number of ridiculous comments I've seen about Labour's pubic transport policy such as "why should rich people get it (Ala Jame Tame's questions about the Eastbourne Ferry last week) , or in regard to prescriptions, the same, or we're alright because we can already get it free from the Chemist Warehouse, made me think we've forgotten what public good or the common good is - and universality. This thing I keep seeing from the CoC "Labour is spending more of your own money" is bizarre and selfish. Tax is how we deliver the common good so we can collectively fund essential services and infrastructure for everyone — like healthcare, education, and public transport—that no single individual could afford to build alone - even the billionaires. The principle of universality is we all pay, we all get it. Just some should pay a bit more in tax to the collective pool . Imagine a park built for everyone, paid for by our taxes or rates, but we had inspectors on the entrance, saying no you can't come in, you're too poor. Or even you're too rich.
Equity, common good, governing for all…all so critical when we wish our democracy to be as healthy and stable as possible. We continue to reach for balance in an imperfect world but aware that we are ‘in this together’.
Inclusivity and public good / protecting the commons 👍
not
exclusivity, privileging private good and extraction 👎
An important thing about the CGat is that while income is slow constant with, it builds a significant pot over time. Labour signaling universal health care as a priority.....over time we can look forward to the health benefits and investments increasing in years to come.
Apologies....a bit of crap typing there....and some autocorrect that didn't help.....but you get the gist....CGT income zero then slow at first, builds over time.
We knew what you meant. Yes, a CGT will bring in revenue very slowly, as it is not retrospective and house prices are flat or declining, but over time it will bring in a good sum. I would really like to see a Wealth tax, as it brings in money right away and taxes wealth now rather than only when property is sold, and it only affects couples with assets over four million, less any mortgages.
"God forbid someone who is middle class also gets subsidised transport or a free prescription." Exactly, Nick...and then we have yet another botched AI attempt to justify firing more of Aotearoa's citizens that are working in the MBIE that this time wasted 30 Billion dollars...and that fat prick Jonesy in NZ1st blows 30 grand of taxpayer's money on a trip to Trumpland...plus a handful of the richest people in the country that only pay 10% tax have increased their savings by 27 Billion since Covid, according to the Greens....yes, we are living with an insane government in NZ aren't we...
🤔 I am uncomfortable about a "wealth tax" as it can easily be sold misleadingly to apply to the comfortably well off not just the billionaire class or big business taking exhorbitant profits over & above rational levels. A "windfall tax" seems both easier to "sell" & achieves a similar purpose ie those billionaires get their money from excess corporate profits either directly or in a round-about way 🤷
If you said to the wealthy, I have a scheme where if you invest $1, I will return $18, they would jump at it.
Evidence based decisions - not the way they roll…
Absolutely not. It's mind bogling really the number of times a minister has stated....I got advice but I decided to go ahead anyway. (Or words to that effect). And don't get me started on the under urgency rort.
Thanks for this newsletter today Nick.
I've been impressed by Labour's policies to date. All of these policies will absolutely benefit everybody in this Cost of Living crisis, and that surely is a win for all in Aotearoa.
Thanks also for providing information about Dame Jools poroporoaki. I hadn't realized this was happening today.
Have a great Friday Nick and an even better weekend.
You too, Josephine. It’s a cracker of a day up here.
🤔 The arguments about the "wealthy & sorted" being able to access FREE transport (after cap is reached) & free prescriptions, 3 free GP visits etc make me laugh out loud! On the one hand the NACTLast coalition enables the "wealthy & sorted" to avoid paying tax commensurate with their income, tilts the playing field so that they can gain even more unearned obscene wealth (hence an increase in billionaires & millionaires at time we have record youth unemployment), and goes out of their way to ensure the baubles of office are exploited on top of their generous Parliamentary salaries & Superannuation etc, and then expects us to believe they are concerned these same people will take advantage of a free prescription for $5, or hop off their yatch or out of their Porce or helicopter & ride for free on public transport??? Yes, they probably will get free prescriptions because NO-ONE WILL ASK HOW MUCH THEY EARN when they go to the Chemist which in that respect makes them on a level playing field with the rest of us, but come on - many of them are ripping the tax-payer off for much more than a measley $5 by minimising tax & maximising tax breaks & incentives etc, and paying mega-bucks to the political parties they expect to continue to make it easiest to increase their wealth at the expense of the people actually doing the mahi.
I have spent some time this morning watching the unveiling of the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago, & aside from the high profile performances & guests, it was so refreshing to hear & see such positivity & empathy, while also reminding me how different the USA is right now, with one of our own, Everlee Wihongi STILL locked up in I.C.E. detention despite the supposed excuse for this having been vacated days ago. Not to forget an obviously senile & irrational President trying to destroy whatever was good about the America the Obamas (& Joe Biden) left for the country & the world.
But the Obamas reminded us that we all have a CHOICE about how we treat others, who we vote for, what kind of world we put our energy towards creating - of course this is 💯% applicable to Aotearoa, especially when we have more power in an election year to oppose & possibly halt damaging policy, and absolutely elect better MPs & better political leaders than the sorry lot we have right now.
As for saying good-bye to Dame Jools 😢 One of the Untouchable Girls who was literally the soundtrack to my life - A person of courage, mana, empathy & integrity who showed the power of "choices" her whole adult life, and empowered many by her example 🫂
Great post Cindy. You and me girl. I saw today that Everlee could be out in two days.
This is such a good topic. I saw your post on FB saying Labour's policies are good because we can talk about tax. You're right. The number of ridiculous comments I've seen about Labour's pubic transport policy such as "why should rich people get it (Ala Jame Tame's questions about the Eastbourne Ferry last week) , or in regard to prescriptions, the same, or we're alright because we can already get it free from the Chemist Warehouse, made me think we've forgotten what public good or the common good is - and universality. This thing I keep seeing from the CoC "Labour is spending more of your own money" is bizarre and selfish. Tax is how we deliver the common good so we can collectively fund essential services and infrastructure for everyone — like healthcare, education, and public transport—that no single individual could afford to build alone - even the billionaires. The principle of universality is we all pay, we all get it. Just some should pay a bit more in tax to the collective pool . Imagine a park built for everyone, paid for by our taxes or rates, but we had inspectors on the entrance, saying no you can't come in, you're too poor. Or even you're too rich.
Equity, common good, governing for all…all so critical when we wish our democracy to be as healthy and stable as possible. We continue to reach for balance in an imperfect world but aware that we are ‘in this together’.
Inclusivity and public good / protecting the commons 👍
not
exclusivity, privileging private good and extraction 👎
Dear Mr Seymour, can you please explain how this policy is not helping the vulnerable?
Dear Mr Luxon, are you not aware that to means test such a policy greatly extrapolates the running costs?
Great post Nick. Everything you say here is just so true.
Me too, Nick!
YES ! Thanks Nick :)
It just gets better and better.
The Lights are on. Let's Go
Thank you for bringing Good News
Certainly makes this Day Brighter.
❤️ 💚 🖤
You're most welcome, we need some light for contrast.
An important thing about the CGat is that while income is slow constant with, it builds a significant pot over time. Labour signaling universal health care as a priority.....over time we can look forward to the health benefits and investments increasing in years to come.
Apologies....a bit of crap typing there....and some autocorrect that didn't help.....but you get the gist....CGT income zero then slow at first, builds over time.
We knew what you meant. Yes, a CGT will bring in revenue very slowly, as it is not retrospective and house prices are flat or declining, but over time it will bring in a good sum. I would really like to see a Wealth tax, as it brings in money right away and taxes wealth now rather than only when property is sold, and it only affects couples with assets over four million, less any mortgages.
"God forbid someone who is middle class also gets subsidised transport or a free prescription." Exactly, Nick...and then we have yet another botched AI attempt to justify firing more of Aotearoa's citizens that are working in the MBIE that this time wasted 30 Billion dollars...and that fat prick Jonesy in NZ1st blows 30 grand of taxpayer's money on a trip to Trumpland...plus a handful of the richest people in the country that only pay 10% tax have increased their savings by 27 Billion since Covid, according to the Greens....yes, we are living with an insane government in NZ aren't we...
I'm happier to see the CGT this time.....properly explained and understood it feels more palatable to more voters.
I'd like to see windfall tax on corporates before a wealth tax on individuals.
🤔 I am uncomfortable about a "wealth tax" as it can easily be sold misleadingly to apply to the comfortably well off not just the billionaire class or big business taking exhorbitant profits over & above rational levels. A "windfall tax" seems both easier to "sell" & achieves a similar purpose ie those billionaires get their money from excess corporate profits either directly or in a round-about way 🤷
Agree.
There’s an odd blind spot between “the wealthy don’t need subsidies” and “the wealthy shouldn’t pay more tax” 🥴