Lifestyle. NZ v OZ.

[Finn]

Yes, its called a right wing government. Sadly though it looks like there will be a swing to the left in the next few weeks. Hopefully just for one term though.

Mate, with your promising racing career ahead of you, you really need to get your arse over to Aus. Your options are very limited in NZ.

[Usarka]

I know there are differences between visiting somewhere and living there, but I talked to friends who've lived in Brisbane and the agree with most if not all of what I saw. My observations in Brisbane in order:

1. Got the train from the airport to the city. Yes, a train from the airport....
2. The train was electric
3. The train was new (well, newer than 1980).
4. The train was quiet
5. The train had NO graffitti
6. The city had virtually no graffiti
7. It was hot
8. The aussie women look good. They care about their looks and weight.
9. It was really hot
10. When asked "Why would I not move over?" all my mates said there were no reasons at all (actually one said the heat)
11. Still no graffiti
12. The city seemed reasonably well laid out.
13. I got a ferry down the river. On time. Every 20 minutes!
14. The ferry had no graffiti. And it was new.
15. Loads of happy good looking families.
16. The tax, super and holiday loadings were explained to me. I cried.
17. The governments attitude towards personal responsibility were explained to me. I cried.
18. Some of the beer is drinkable. I smiled.
19. I saw a really drunk guy get served. He wasn't bothering anyone and didnt look remotely violent. Personal responsibility.
20. Rented a car. Drivers were courteous!
21. Motorways and highways had signs displaying meaningful journey information.
22. Drivers were courteous.
23. You can actually surf at the Gold and Sunshine coasts.
24. Finally saw some graffiti with the tag - NZ Maori (seriously, no shit).
25. Saw the start of schoolies week. Locals were (reasonably) tolerant. Cops were everywhere being friendly but firm and fair.
26. Got home. Took 50 minutes to clear customs. Got cab with taxi driver who couldn't speak english. Saw graffiti all the way home. Caught a dole bludging burglar in my house he got let off and I got arrested for assault.

[SPman]

Would I be right in saying, # 26 has pissed you off, big time?

[Finn]

[*]Got home. Took 50 minutes to clear customs. Got cab with taxi driver who couldn't speak english. Saw graffiti all the way home. Caught a dole bludging burglar in my house he got let off and I got arrested for assault. [/LIST]

Please tell me you got off.

[Toaster]

The differences between the two countries are more complex than many assume. Housing and different tax regimes are but a small part of it.

Putting all that aside, they do have warmer weather.... just pays to take water with you. They are running out.

[Usarka]

Would I be right in saying, # 26 has pissed you off, big time?

Please tell me you got off.

haha sorry I was joking about the burglar part, the rest is true but it's proved my point no one would be surprised by that here....

[k14]

[*]Rented a car. Drivers were courteous![*]Motorways and highways had signs displaying meaningful journey information.[*]Drivers were courteous.

I totally agree with that. When i was in melbourne last month I couldn't believe how courteous the drivers were. Not having a clue on how to get around the city I had to do a few last min lane changes coming up to lights etc, but every time i put my indicator i was let into the appropriate lane at the first opportunity. Makes it so much better and nicer to drive around. Specially when the traffic volumes are so high.

Mate, with your promising racing career ahead of you, you really need to get your arse over to Aus. Your options are very limited in NZ.

Yeah tell me about it. Although even auzzie is limited on that aspect. Not to mention the thousands of km you have to drive to do more than 2 or 3 tracks that are local. I'm thinking UK, but still 18 months away at least. Auzzie would be a good option in the meantime though.

[Finn]

Phil Rennie from the Centre for Independent Studies has published an analysis on why Australia is so much richer than New Zealand.

Major points are:

* Per capita GDP (adjusted for PPP) is NZ$48,000 in Australia and $36,400 in NZ
* The major difference is labour productivity - Australian workers produce a third more wealth for every hour worked, largely because they have more capital (machinery and technology) to work with.
* Tax is a major area of difference between the two countries. Australia is a much lower taxing country, especially in terms of income tax. This affects incentives to work, save, and invest.
* Prosperity does not come by accident. Australia has a stronger political consensus around policies for growth, which contributes to investor confidence. In contrast, New Zealand halted most major reform in 1993, and has increased tax and regulation since 2000.

That last point is an important one. Both the Coalition and Labor in Australia are very focused on increasing economic growth, and making necessary reforms to increase labour productivity etc.

The analysis includes some wage comparisons. For example a dump truck operator in NZ earns $45K to $60K and in Australia $73K to $84K in NZ PPP $.

Going back to Australian Labor, the report quotes the new PM Kevin Rudd:

Kevin Rudd says he is ‘committed to keeping taxes as low as possible to attract investment and reward enterprise.’

Also a good quote:

A myth persists in some quarters that New Zealand is a laboratory for free-market reform, and that it has done all it can to create a level playing field. The reality is that our major reforms are now considered orthodox around the world. If we want to increase our growth, we need to do more, as Australia has consciously chosen to do.

Finally some recommendations:

1. Lower income taxes.
2. Cut the top rate of income tax.
3. Improve the quality of government spending.
4. Commit to light-handed regulation as much as possible.
5. Regulatory responsibility law.

Now of course some people will decry all these things. But here’s the irony - they’re the same people who probably complain wages in NZ are not high enough. You want higher wages - you need to keep improving the economic environment.

So, in short. Don't vote for Labour.

[Timber020]

Aus is a lucky country, its has huge mineral resources, and a low population compared to its geographic size. If they need to make overseas currency they just need to dig another hole.

They are able to do things such as crop farming on a massive scale, but its done it at the cost of sustainability. Alot of the land has been massively over sprayed, water is running out and theres not good news in site unless you like recycling toilet water.

Incomes might be higher, but they are in danger of overcooking there ecomony as inflation and interest rate rise, only to get worse as tax back promises are carried out in the next few years.

Does anyone else find it funny that their two main parties are Labour and Liberal, and the Liberal party isnt Liberal?