PM Luxon pleads for more time for 'growth, growth, growth,' but downplays talk of Govt bailouts for floods; Compass starts using 'offal mince blend' for school lunches; Ghost appointments revealed
How surprising that a policy platform bought by landlords, fossil fuel companies and international corporate think tanks has failed to deliver anything good to people who actually have to get up and work to support themselves.
How ironic that parties with names like national and NZ first handily deliver unheard of transfers of NZ profits and people to Australia and beyond.
And why? Because we’re so scared to tax wealth we’d rather tax food and water instead? The old good times aren’t coming back, but the next good times could be even better if we invested in it.
"When it comes to cancer risk, there is no 'safe' level of alcohol use, and even small amounts of alcohol increase the risk of cancer."
To be honest I don’t even think about cancer when it comes to alcohol, just on the grounds of social harm, family violence, accidents, violence in the streets, addiction, and other social costs we should control it as any other drug. But of course, I’m sure the alcohol industry must have financed Nat, and NZ1st campaigns as the tobacco did! Good on Canada for their 2 glass standard!
Yesterday Craig Renney reminded us all of a budget 2024 decision that bears continual repeating - the use of the (then) $6 billion climate change resilience fund to pay for tax cuts primarily benefiting wealthy and landlords. Which is why our Great Leader is now saying we are on our own when it comes to climate change adaptation.
Brian Easton’s article in Interest that is liked makes no mention of the upcoming ban of social media for under 16s in Australia, says it’s impossible for governments to legislate. What a strange omission.
Will the Australian ban work is another thing. But to completely omit it from an article on the topic is just strange.
Great stuff as usual Bernard. Love the Seymour cartoon.
This sounded interesting...
2. ...Singapore reported better-than-expected GDP growth...The Government has slashed spending on new housing in the last 18 months. See more below in Docs of the day.
I know I'm only one services business but I have definitely noticed a slump in demand for my gardening business in Wellington. I'm usually busy replanting gardens, pruning roses and trimming back hedges at this time of the year. Public servants are a decent chunk of my clients and they are still very nervous about their ongoing job prospects. Luckily I have a lot of garden proud pensioners and a few wealthy clients otherwise my business would be toast! It's really tough out there across all the trades that I speak to.
In relation to "Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the government won't be able to keep bailing out flooded homeowners."
Gee, it's almost like he expects these floods to keep happening & more often.
Oh & the irony, considering the fast tracking of the Winton housing development project in Ardmore, south Auckland.... a strip of land that is a known flood risk????
Winton Land Limited's Sunfield development project in Ardmore, south of Auckland, is one of the larger projects to be included in Schedule 2 of the [Fast Track] bill. The company aims to build a community with a school, 3400 houses and three retirement villages.
Its director Christopher Meehan gave $50,000 to Act in 2023 and $103,260 to National. Speargrass Holdings, a company Meehan is a director of, also gave $52,894 to National in 2022. In total, $206,154.23 was donated."
I did hear about the Wonton donation, did not know about the other donations from the director to the two parties.
WOAH, over $200K in total from one person.😵
Leading up the the election of 2023, when we were in the car, on the way home one day, I do remember saying to my Dad, the National party campaign signs look like re-estate signs. I under estimated how prophetic that interpretation would be.
I caught myself eye-rolling to the part where Luxon re-confirms it's growth growth growth. Often people get chance to reflect on holiday and come back with new perspectives.
Why stop at saying growth three times everytime its mentioned? Why not just say growth to any question posed between now and the election. If we hear it enough, it might become true.
I am sure somewhere out there there is a youtube video of all the times he's said growth lol.
I am currently reading Rob Hopkins “How to fall in love with the future”. Full of practical examples of possible (wonderful) futures. Perhaps somebody could interview him or bring him out to Aotearoa for a speaking trip, although I doubt he still uses air travel.
David Seymour is a cartoonist's gift as a result of his uncanny resemblance to Alfred E Neuman of Mad magazine.
Life imitating art.
😊
Alfred E Neuman was never that malign however
“What me worry” as he wields his wrecking ball on our society
Offal, why not dogfood? Or some other modest proposal
It sounds exactly like what I feed my dogs!
“The whippings [towards the economy and people] will continue until morale [spending] improves” -NACT
How surprising that a policy platform bought by landlords, fossil fuel companies and international corporate think tanks has failed to deliver anything good to people who actually have to get up and work to support themselves.
How ironic that parties with names like national and NZ first handily deliver unheard of transfers of NZ profits and people to Australia and beyond.
And why? Because we’re so scared to tax wealth we’d rather tax food and water instead? The old good times aren’t coming back, but the next good times could be even better if we invested in it.
"When it comes to cancer risk, there is no 'safe' level of alcohol use, and even small amounts of alcohol increase the risk of cancer."
To be honest I don’t even think about cancer when it comes to alcohol, just on the grounds of social harm, family violence, accidents, violence in the streets, addiction, and other social costs we should control it as any other drug. But of course, I’m sure the alcohol industry must have financed Nat, and NZ1st campaigns as the tobacco did! Good on Canada for their 2 glass standard!
Yesterday Craig Renney reminded us all of a budget 2024 decision that bears continual repeating - the use of the (then) $6 billion climate change resilience fund to pay for tax cuts primarily benefiting wealthy and landlords. Which is why our Great Leader is now saying we are on our own when it comes to climate change adaptation.
Morning Bernard,
Perhaps for the first time ever, you have left me speechless.
Cheers
In a good way?
Hi Bernard,
In a temporarily resigned to defeat way, at what you disclose of what a sham our nation has become.
But I will bounce back after getting some fresh air and exercise, taking advantage of a break in the weather on my lawn mowing round.
Cheers
Re the ‘enduring freshwater policy’, dies this mean water freshly laced with fertiliser and cow urine ?
Brian Easton’s article in Interest that is liked makes no mention of the upcoming ban of social media for under 16s in Australia, says it’s impossible for governments to legislate. What a strange omission.
Will the Australian ban work is another thing. But to completely omit it from an article on the topic is just strange.
Singapore Govt recently increased investment in housing its citizens and GDP increased.
Seems pretty simple to me. Where’s the irony there, I ask?
Fair point. Perhaps I should have written: 'In contrast,...'
Never miss an opportunity for a gentle windup !
I suppose the irony is in those two pieces of information passing unnoticed by policy setters in Aotearoa.
Assuming a verifiable cause and effect.
I'd give him time, alright - 30 years hard labour for treason.
Great stuff as usual Bernard. Love the Seymour cartoon.
This sounded interesting...
2. ...Singapore reported better-than-expected GDP growth...The Government has slashed spending on new housing in the last 18 months. See more below in Docs of the day.
But..
I couldn't find the link in "Docs of the day".
I know I'm only one services business but I have definitely noticed a slump in demand for my gardening business in Wellington. I'm usually busy replanting gardens, pruning roses and trimming back hedges at this time of the year. Public servants are a decent chunk of my clients and they are still very nervous about their ongoing job prospects. Luckily I have a lot of garden proud pensioners and a few wealthy clients otherwise my business would be toast! It's really tough out there across all the trades that I speak to.
In relation to "Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the government won't be able to keep bailing out flooded homeowners."
Gee, it's almost like he expects these floods to keep happening & more often.
Oh & the irony, considering the fast tracking of the Winton housing development project in Ardmore, south Auckland.... a strip of land that is a known flood risk????
And the pattern of decisions continues
🤦♀️😔
That Winton...
"Winton development donated $200,000
Winton Land Limited's Sunfield development project in Ardmore, south of Auckland, is one of the larger projects to be included in Schedule 2 of the [Fast Track] bill. The company aims to build a community with a school, 3400 houses and three retirement villages.
Its director Christopher Meehan gave $50,000 to Act in 2023 and $103,260 to National. Speargrass Holdings, a company Meehan is a director of, also gave $52,894 to National in 2022. In total, $206,154.23 was donated."
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/530312/500-000-in-political-donations-associated-with-fast-track-projects
I did hear about the Wonton donation, did not know about the other donations from the director to the two parties.
WOAH, over $200K in total from one person.😵
Leading up the the election of 2023, when we were in the car, on the way home one day, I do remember saying to my Dad, the National party campaign signs look like re-estate signs. I under estimated how prophetic that interpretation would be.
I caught myself eye-rolling to the part where Luxon re-confirms it's growth growth growth. Often people get chance to reflect on holiday and come back with new perspectives.
Why stop at saying growth three times everytime its mentioned? Why not just say growth to any question posed between now and the election. If we hear it enough, it might become true.
I am sure somewhere out there there is a youtube video of all the times he's said growth lol.
I am currently reading Rob Hopkins “How to fall in love with the future”. Full of practical examples of possible (wonderful) futures. Perhaps somebody could interview him or bring him out to Aotearoa for a speaking trip, although I doubt he still uses air travel.