Simeon Brown threatening councils on water mergers; Chris Bishop telling planners politicians make better consent decisions than planners; Behind Luxon's unpopularity; Hipkins talking tax
OMG I just looked up oil up - jeez. He gets lots of interaction, mostly with the kids saying "he didn't just say that." Doesn't make me like him, and him saying fruit and veg are down in price. Ah it's MARCH. It's the season of fruit and veg. And thank god the kumara have finally recovered after the big rains.
Oh god, yes very insincere. John Key at least did a good job of looking remotely interested in how the everyday person was faring (not saying he was interested, but that he gave the appearance of being). And the talking down to journalists like they’re idiots doesn’t help endear him, I really dislike the patronizing way he uses their names to make a point. I’d be very interested to hear what National voters think, and what out of the last few weeks has annoyed them (if anything)
Great for the wider public to have this contextual commentary, Bernard. Yes, please open it up. The really meaningful sentence in Bishop's speech was "a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes over the past two years to develop our thinking." Was the electorate honestly informed of these plans during the election campaign?
I'm not sure if anyone has done any analysis of this, but when was the last time a newly elected government has not enjoyed a honeymoon? You would think they are a 3rd term govt with their low popularity and arrogance.
Yes it's early in the term, but it's obviously already causing some concern for them if the likes of John Key are already getting involved to try and convince them to change course and change major parts of their manifesto.
Central government continues to allow 100,000 plus new migrants into the country, but dumps unfunded mandates onto local government to supply the infrastructure (roads, water, housing, etc).
And, of course, CG retains the power to tell LG they are doing it wrong and over-rule them.
With all these government bureaucrats being made redundant shouldn't they be retrained as truck drivers, which would save us having to import them from overseas.
As someone who has lived in a stronghold of 'STOP THREE WATERS!' - I am surprised how quickly National have come out clearly pushing the use of multi-council COOs. There were hints and comments, pre-election, but they were hidden away.
The leading _public_ argument in my rural community against Three Waters, is that they have not wanted any type of consolidation of control of water assets.
For the man or woman on the street, COOs look and feel like Three Waters mechanisms (sans the so called 'Co-Governance').
It will be very interesting to see how National paints this. Simeon Brown's interview seemed tone deaf to those who actually voted them into power.
If by hidden away you mean they wrote it their water policy.
Its pretty much the same as the Three Waters proposal, except that that it will cost people more. Local control means locals will pay for local council decisions.
National has been pretty clear on their approach, they are doing what they said they would do.
"Labour has pushed through Parliament its undemocratic and unpopular Three Waters policy which is an asset grab that would take water services off the local communities who own them, and transfer them to four mega-entities that have mandatory co-governance. It’s the wrong answer and no-one wants it."
What is a Water Merger under multi-council COO if not the 'mega entities' their policy opens with?
A water merger under a multi council CCO is probably messier than Three Waters entities (we don't know what the legal framework for these will be), as each Council will have different wants and needs that flow through the Statement of intent and statement of expectations and they will still want to exert control over their own assets rather than leaving it to the CCO.
But it will be voluntary and preserve local democracy, unless the Minister says otherwise.
S. (ub epsilon minus) Brown makes Willis almost appear slightly economically literate. I am so glad we relay on rain water tanks, a septic waste system and the storm water soaks into the sandy soil. Though I bet the local COO if formed in the Manawatu district (they still slavishly hold to 'trickle down' economics and conspiracy theories here) of will try and charge us for being self reliant.
Could be correct, when Auckland had CCO for water supply in early days Auckland tried to water tax Waiheke folk who had tanks. Did not happen but be vigilant.
Thanks for including the Bishop speech in here. I find that fascinating. Really, it would all be easier, and he might be able to keep it to schedule. If it was just possible to get all the officials, planners, commissioners, scientists, iwi/Māori interests, NGOs and communities to go quiet for a while?
Maybe things look different when you get closer but from my viewpoint she has no clue about finance, and thinking back to an election discussion with Carmel she came over as a rabid harpy
Painting Labours version as co-governance by stealth did the job with middle NZ
Not having Gov supporting the asset split is an error (in my view), I can't see many sinking money into a bond like this unless it can be viewed as a quasi-gov backed bond -- some sort of gov assurance is critical
Also unsurprising to read that Mr Key isn't a fan of the large tax cuts to landlords...it isn't a good look to rout gov services (like disability support) just so an entitled section of the population get a bit of money in their pockets
OMG I just looked up oil up - jeez. He gets lots of interaction, mostly with the kids saying "he didn't just say that." Doesn't make me like him, and him saying fruit and veg are down in price. Ah it's MARCH. It's the season of fruit and veg. And thank god the kumara have finally recovered after the big rains.
‘Enjoyment of property rights’ sincerity; public finance managed like a household hypocrisy?
Maybe "oil up" refers to new oil exploration permits? 🙄
Everything about him has an air of hypocritical patronisation and insincere charm.
btw... that screenshot of Luxon getting close to the camera is incredibly repellent and to an extent disturbing...
And a total lack of empathy, interest or understanding of human experience not like his own.
Oh god, yes very insincere. John Key at least did a good job of looking remotely interested in how the everyday person was faring (not saying he was interested, but that he gave the appearance of being). And the talking down to journalists like they’re idiots doesn’t help endear him, I really dislike the patronizing way he uses their names to make a point. I’d be very interested to hear what National voters think, and what out of the last few weeks has annoyed them (if anything)
Great for the wider public to have this contextual commentary, Bernard. Yes, please open it up. The really meaningful sentence in Bishop's speech was "a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes over the past two years to develop our thinking." Was the electorate honestly informed of these plans during the election campaign?
NZTU and NZ Initiative?
I'm not sure if anyone has done any analysis of this, but when was the last time a newly elected government has not enjoyed a honeymoon? You would think they are a 3rd term govt with their low popularity and arrogance.
Yes it's early in the term, but it's obviously already causing some concern for them if the likes of John Key are already getting involved to try and convince them to change course and change major parts of their manifesto.
Simeon is such a terrible political speaker. "Range of funding, range of options etc." Infuriating
His speech phrases & facial/body language are truly scary. Turn off sound & no empathy or listening happening.
A disturbing number of cabinet members come across as Sociopaths
Wide range of not having a clue
Maybe our Minister of Finance is getting this idea that public finances are the same as household finances from Mr Key, because she has confirmed she has not received any technical advice supporting her reckon - https://fyi.org.nz/request/25924/response/98269/attach/2/Andrew%20Riddell.pdf
Ha! Brilliant.
This govt is governing based on vibes.
That’s fab. She has an odd signature did you notice?
Central government continues to allow 100,000 plus new migrants into the country, but dumps unfunded mandates onto local government to supply the infrastructure (roads, water, housing, etc).
And, of course, CG retains the power to tell LG they are doing it wrong and over-rule them.
With all these government bureaucrats being made redundant shouldn't they be retrained as truck drivers, which would save us having to import them from overseas.
Funny you say that. I have a relative in the U.K. who is a top flite musician, who retrained a s a truck driver and earns packets : )
We would not need more truck drivers if use rail & blue highway for freight.
As someone who has lived in a stronghold of 'STOP THREE WATERS!' - I am surprised how quickly National have come out clearly pushing the use of multi-council COOs. There were hints and comments, pre-election, but they were hidden away.
The leading _public_ argument in my rural community against Three Waters, is that they have not wanted any type of consolidation of control of water assets.
For the man or woman on the street, COOs look and feel like Three Waters mechanisms (sans the so called 'Co-Governance').
It will be very interesting to see how National paints this. Simeon Brown's interview seemed tone deaf to those who actually voted them into power.
If by hidden away you mean they wrote it their water policy.
Its pretty much the same as the Three Waters proposal, except that that it will cost people more. Local control means locals will pay for local council decisions.
National has been pretty clear on their approach, they are doing what they said they would do.
I never saw it in their water policy: https://www.national.org.nz/local_water_done_well
"Labour has pushed through Parliament its undemocratic and unpopular Three Waters policy which is an asset grab that would take water services off the local communities who own them, and transfer them to four mega-entities that have mandatory co-governance. It’s the wrong answer and no-one wants it."
What is a Water Merger under multi-council COO if not the 'mega entities' their policy opens with?
At the bottom of that page is the link to the full policy https://assets.nationbuilder.com/nationalparty/pages/17864/attachments/original/1684306432/Local_Water_Done_Well_policy_document.pdf?1684306432
A water merger under a multi council CCO is probably messier than Three Waters entities (we don't know what the legal framework for these will be), as each Council will have different wants and needs that flow through the Statement of intent and statement of expectations and they will still want to exert control over their own assets rather than leaving it to the CCO.
But it will be voluntary and preserve local democracy, unless the Minister says otherwise.
S. (ub epsilon minus) Brown makes Willis almost appear slightly economically literate. I am so glad we relay on rain water tanks, a septic waste system and the storm water soaks into the sandy soil. Though I bet the local COO if formed in the Manawatu district (they still slavishly hold to 'trickle down' economics and conspiracy theories here) of will try and charge us for being self reliant.
Could be correct, when Auckland had CCO for water supply in early days Auckland tried to water tax Waiheke folk who had tanks. Did not happen but be vigilant.
Thanks for including the Bishop speech in here. I find that fascinating. Really, it would all be easier, and he might be able to keep it to schedule. If it was just possible to get all the officials, planners, commissioners, scientists, iwi/Māori interests, NGOs and communities to go quiet for a while?
Could be a while before that type of while happens.
Amazingly clear picture of very murky intent & planning by 3 headed government. Thank you.
Judith by June...
More likely Willis I think.
Spare us!!
Maybe things look different when you get closer but from my viewpoint she has no clue about finance, and thinking back to an election discussion with Carmel she came over as a rabid harpy
No surprises on the water asset backtrack
Painting Labours version as co-governance by stealth did the job with middle NZ
Not having Gov supporting the asset split is an error (in my view), I can't see many sinking money into a bond like this unless it can be viewed as a quasi-gov backed bond -- some sort of gov assurance is critical
Also unsurprising to read that Mr Key isn't a fan of the large tax cuts to landlords...it isn't a good look to rout gov services (like disability support) just so an entitled section of the population get a bit of money in their pockets