Go Labour!!!

[MisterD]

Nice catch phrase, reminds me of the last one the economic right wing sold us, "the trickle down effect". That worked well.

Rather than the "flood across the Tasman" effect that socialist jealousy has given us...

[Hitcher]

Rather than the "flood across the Tasman" effect that socialist jealousy has given us...

"Socialist jealously"? More like a socialist theocracy. Mugabe, Castro, Putin, Clark. All lovely people but misunderstood...

[mowgli]

Helen Clark has announced that the petition for removal of GST on foods will not be considered by the labour government, instead stating that the government would address hardship through there working for families scheme.

Helen et al should try living on a WFF wage and see how motivated they are to improve their lot.

Which would you choose?

• Three steps forward, two steps back, or
• Ditch the old man, pop another sprog and advance to go.

This country's broken May I have another?

[Skyryder]

I use to think Clark had some political savy. There was a time when she did but in all honesty I do not think that way now on her stance on GST. Oddly enough her decision not to include GST on food items has been applauded by both National and ACT and that alone should dispell any myths that this Labour Govt is a socialist govt. She has missed the one golden oppertunity to take the political initive. All she had to do was to remove GST on New Zealand grown food. Be it fresh or canned. Cullen/Clarke have claimed that admin costs are the reason that GST will not be removed from food items. But the real reason is to remove GST on localy grown produce and keep it on imported food items is that the Chinese would interpt such a move as a breach of the recent China 'deal.' I've given this Govt a lot of leeway here but I consider the China deal as much a stab in the back as I did with Rodgernomics.


Skyryder

[Clockwork]

Rather than the "flood across the Tasman" effect that socialist jealousy has given us...

Yes, the grass is always greener. They have a bigger economy and way more job opportunities. They are paid more but then they're still heavily unionised, they never had the Employment Contracts Act. They protect their domestic industries and actually have a local market big enough to suport a manufacturing base. They have massive mineral wealth and for their export earnings they dont have to rely on gaining access to probably the most protected markets of the world, agicultural produce. Oh and they have a Labour Government.

But where did we get the idea that they are taxed significanly less, they are taxed differently, what about their stamp duties, healthcare contributions and compulsory savings. Did you read yesterday's editorial in the Dominion?

Sure, our taxes may be high by world standards, we have a large infrastructure and bugger all population without any of the advantages of Australia that I have mentioned above.

Where did we get they idea that Austrailia has no dole bludgers. As I recall the Aussies seem to feel (rightly or wrongly) that too many of them are Kiwis. And as for bureaucracy, I work for a company the was run by Kiwis, it was sold to the Aussies and since then the place has come to a standstill for all the bloody petty rules, regulations, meetings, indecision, and endless managers with wanky job titles.

That country has eight Governments, imagine the rules and regulations they live with!

"Socialist jealously"? More like a socialist theocracy. Mugabe, Castro, Putin, Clark. All lovely people but misunderstood...

Hitcher, I've been lurking around this site long enough to know you are way too intelligent to need to resort to these sorts of silly comments. I believe you will find despots at both ends of the political spectum, lets stick to the issues.

[Mully]

Helen et al should try living on a WFF wage and see how motivated they are to improve their lot.

I maintain that the quickest way to raise the average wage, and therefore the standard of living, in this country would be to make the politicains live on the average wage.

[Mully]

Oh and they have a Labour Government.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Fuck me, you're right.

So, they were completely fucked until NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, when they had a centre-right government for damn near 12 years.

Mate, you have made some valid points, but to mention Australia having a Labour government to support your arguement is pushing it uphill. With a sharp stick.

[MisterD]

But where did we get the idea that they are taxed significanly less, they are taxed differently, what about their stamp duties, healthcare contributions and compulsory savings. Did you read yesterday's editorial in the Dominion?

Finn posted a link to a compartive tax calculator a while ago...I'd be significantly better off, to the point that MrsD could look to be a full-time Mum, but having dragged myself here from England the hassle barrier is just high enough to keep me in NZ. If Labour manages to get back in though....

[Clockwork]

Finn posted a link to a compartive tax calculator a while ago...I'd be significantly better off, to the point that MrsD could look to be a full-time Mum, but having dragged myself here from England the hassle barrier is just high enough to keep me in NZ. If Labour manages to get back in though....

OK, but did the calculator account for the hidden taxes I have mentioned or was it just the headline stuff?

[MisterD]

OK, but did the calculator account for the hidden taxes I have mentioned or was it just the headline stuff?

Did include healthcare, but not "spending" taxes like GST and duty of booze or petrol.

[Clockwork]

If I recall correctly, these days if you immigrate to Aus you're expected to pay all of their taxes but unless you are a citizen you will be inelligable for any of their benefits, so you better hope the grass is as green as it looks.

[oldrider]

I use to think Clark had some political savy. There was a time when she did but in all honesty I do not think that way now on her stance on GST. Oddly enough her decision not to include GST on food items has been applauded by both National and ACT and that alone should dispell any myths that this Labour Govt is a socialist govt. She has missed the one golden oppertunity to take the political initive. All she had to do was to remove GST on New Zealand grown food. Be it fresh or canned. Cullen/Clarke have claimed that admin costs are the reason that GST will not be removed from food items. But the real reason is to remove GST on localy grown produce and keep it on imported food items is that the Chinese would interpt such a move as a breach of the recent China 'deal.' I've given this Govt a lot of leeway here but I consider the China deal as much a stab in the back as I did with Rodgernomics.


Skyryder

At least the Labour party is consistent: They always stab their supporters in the back!

How do I know that?

I have witnessed them do it every time they have been in power, since the 1940's!

I began to become politically aware (slowly albeit) from the late 1940's.

Labour are consistent "liars". (IMHO)

Labour depend upon their supporters to remain loyal and stupid, much like an alcoholic defending their bottle!

They will be back for that elusive fourth term because that blind stupid faith is still in the majority in New Zealand!

Hard working thinking people will continue to desert NZ in droves and Labour will fill the vacuum with their quick fix Chinese friends. (read "voters)"

I wasted my first vote on the Labour party! Never, ever, ever again. John.

[Skyryder]

At least the Labour party is consistent: They always stab their supporters in the back!

How do I know that?

I have witnessed them do it every time they have been in power, since the 1940's!

I began to become politically aware (slowly albeit) from the late 1940's.

Labour are consistent "liars". (IMHO)

Labour depend upon their supporters to remain loyal and stupid, much like an alcoholic defending their bottle!

They will be back for that elusive fourth term because that blind stupid faith is still in the majority in New Zealand!

Hard working thinking people will continue to desert NZ in droves and Labour will fill the vacuum with their quick fix Chinese friends. (read "voters)"

I wasted my first vote on the Labour party! Never, ever, ever again. John.

Some would say they are the lesser of two evils. But I take you point.

Skyryder

[Toaster]

I personally disagree with removing GST from food goods. Having in the past administered the GST Act I can assure you it would be a nightmare to do this and it has caused many an issue in Aust (GST) and the UK (VAT) and adds cost to administering a more complex regime due to complexities around definitions of what falls in or out of the GST exemption. Removal of GST also promotes price rises, thereby often eliminating the benefit to the consumer and improving profit margins for the companies.

I recommend a reduction to all the personal tax rates and increases in the tax thresholds to most effectively provide more cash to those that earn it and also reduce the burden on those on Govt Super.

Both the resulting savings and spending are taxed (providing govt revenue indirectly instead of directly), through RWT and GST and is no more inflationary than the Govt spending (Stick that up your bum Cullen!) our taxes on burgeoning state services and govt ministries full of overpaid bureaucrats and non professional "managers" achieving bugger all towards better education or health services.

Ireland cut both company and personal tax rates dramatically many years back. Companies flooded into the economy and employment rocketed. They are considered the economic tiger of europe for their radical and very successful aggressive policies.

[Skyryder]

I personally disagree with removing GST from food goods. Having in the past administered the GST Act I can assure you it would be a nightmare to do this and it has caused many an issue in Aust (GST) and the UK (VAT) and adds cost to administering a more complex regime due to complexities around definitions of what falls in or out of the GST exemption. Removal of GST also promotes price rises, thereby often eliminating the benefit to the consumer and improving profit margins for the companies.

The definition could be localy grown and produced. That's pretty clear but as I mentioned Cullen/Clarke have used admin costs from overseas models as the 'defining' excuse for not reducing gst or eliminating it altogether on home grown produce for resons that I have posted in this thread.


Skyryder