Key Wellington spatial plan debate ends with ban on tall buildings, but removal of some carveouts of 'character areas' from denser housing rules; Debate shows why Public Finance Act needs reform
Great straight forward insight on the 'strangle hold' by default of an outdated the Public Finance Act formed in 1989. May have been fitting for a stagnated population view of the day and mitigation of monetary risk funded by foreign floating % where today we can work within a finance environment of fix longterm interest security raised bonds that are N.Z monies and 1/2 owned by N.Z entities such as kiwi saver. Changes are calling with interest rates so low.
Hi Bernard, as usual a compelling argument but one that leaves me as sad as you that the only way to get ahead is to leave the country. I cannot understand why the government (in this age of skills shortages) would actively encourage people to leave through their inaction and policies. In talking to cabinet ministers, (especially Labour ones) surely they share some of the concerns you have or, maybe, they are only looking out for themselves in terms of their own property holdings and job security.
Thanks Grant. Those cabinet ministers understand, but also see the political and Public Finance Act restraints as a lot like the weather. Something to be endured and avoided, and occasionally used, but not something that can be changed. This generation of cabinet ministers were trained as MMP ministers. That means hardly any change and being vulnerable to officials simply waiting out the ministers' demands until the next coalition complicates the political balance. They're still coming to grips with the 'unbridled power' of winning a majority under MMP. The PM's April 2019 declaration she would never do a CGT (or by implication a wealth tax) has utterly changed their political appetites. cheers
So true Bernard. This Labour government has the opportunity no other has since MMP to follow through on some policies, especially around wellbeing. I can't think of a more important moment for the future of all of us (particularly our children) than now, yet short-termism prevails!
Excellent Bernard. Perhaps the Public Finance Act actually is fit for purpose though, if the purpose is to keep the people down and the elite in control. It's amazing how insidious debt is. Even when we talk about government being funded by its own bank, we call it "borrowing" when in reality no debt is incurred. No doubt this is to reinforce the false notion that "future generations" will be on the hook for spending that takes care of Kiwi's today. I find this government is increasingly disgusting in its treatment of its own people and its own country.
Please keep it up, Bernard, you're doing a great job.
Great straight forward insight on the 'strangle hold' by default of an outdated the Public Finance Act formed in 1989. May have been fitting for a stagnated population view of the day and mitigation of monetary risk funded by foreign floating % where today we can work within a finance environment of fix longterm interest security raised bonds that are N.Z monies and 1/2 owned by N.Z entities such as kiwi saver. Changes are calling with interest rates so low.
Absolutely right. I see no appetite for change inside Treasury, Labour or National.
Hi Bernard, as usual a compelling argument but one that leaves me as sad as you that the only way to get ahead is to leave the country. I cannot understand why the government (in this age of skills shortages) would actively encourage people to leave through their inaction and policies. In talking to cabinet ministers, (especially Labour ones) surely they share some of the concerns you have or, maybe, they are only looking out for themselves in terms of their own property holdings and job security.
Thanks Grant. Those cabinet ministers understand, but also see the political and Public Finance Act restraints as a lot like the weather. Something to be endured and avoided, and occasionally used, but not something that can be changed. This generation of cabinet ministers were trained as MMP ministers. That means hardly any change and being vulnerable to officials simply waiting out the ministers' demands until the next coalition complicates the political balance. They're still coming to grips with the 'unbridled power' of winning a majority under MMP. The PM's April 2019 declaration she would never do a CGT (or by implication a wealth tax) has utterly changed their political appetites. cheers
So true Bernard. This Labour government has the opportunity no other has since MMP to follow through on some policies, especially around wellbeing. I can't think of a more important moment for the future of all of us (particularly our children) than now, yet short-termism prevails!
Excellent Bernard. Perhaps the Public Finance Act actually is fit for purpose though, if the purpose is to keep the people down and the elite in control. It's amazing how insidious debt is. Even when we talk about government being funded by its own bank, we call it "borrowing" when in reality no debt is incurred. No doubt this is to reinforce the false notion that "future generations" will be on the hook for spending that takes care of Kiwi's today. I find this government is increasingly disgusting in its treatment of its own people and its own country.
Please keep it up, Bernard, you're doing a great job.