Overall ratings:
Maori 3/10,
Greens 4/10,
Progressive 2/10,
Labour 6/10,
National 7/10,
Act 5/10,
United Future 3/10,
NZ First 5/10
Thursday September 1 saw the political monkeys at it again. This time it was the financial spokesmen for each of the eight main political parties.
All of the parties offered bribes, counter-bribes, and lies to try and woo stupid New Zealanders into voting for them. I was very unimpressed with all of them, and I was left wishing there was a political party that was realistic about what it could achieve. Anyway on to the bribes, counter-bribes, and lies…
Labour started the debate by making a bold claim that the economy would slow down over the next year, but then pick up again. Of course this is only if you vote for Labour. Labour promises more tradespeople, and to spend more money on infrastructure. With regards to tax they claim that it cannot be reduced as they need to pay for roads and education. Labour states that we need a common-sense government that will increase incomes and supports free trade.
National claims that the economy needs to grow and that its tax policy rewards hard work. “Politicians do not make growth, business grows business… [the] government needs to believe in them not hold them back.” National is against the Kyoto Protocol, and is adamant that the tax-cuts are not just for the rich.
NZ First will cut business tax, and raise incomes. They will remove GST from petrol. Peters claims that “Labour tops up peoples’ incomes and does not address wages. However, National is worse, borrowing for tax cuts”.
Act claims “NZ must do better”. Tax cuts are important to reward citizens. We need lower taxes to encourage growth because the private-sector generates wealth not the public. Act want tax cuts across the board, to remove 5c/litre petrol tax, free-trade, and no Kyoto Protocol.
The Greens claim that the economy needs to serve people. They want to get kids out of poverty, and not give tax cuts to the rich. They intend to plan for the future by investing in public transport, trains not trucks, and tax-payer funded tertiary education. We need a strong economy but no free-trade.
The Maori Party has two focuses: give opportunities to low income earners and involve Maori in the productive sector. Growth is dependant on Maori. According to the party, we need to focus on child poverty by reducing tax. They want to “improve the lot for Maori”.
Progressive claims National and Act are a recipe for failure. They believe that education is required in education to move the country forward, and that we also need to grow the economy. “Think what’s in it for NZ, not for me”.
United Future wants to lower business tax, to release people from government personal tax, and also to increase productivity and wages.
Overall I was disappointed with the debate. It was well run but none of the parties used the free advertising well. National and Labour were the only ones who really stood out with debate about tax. Progressive and United Future were hardly seen, and this can’t be good for popularity.
