10 positive reasons to vote National
Policies have not had a huge amount of coverage during the campaign, so here’s my list of good policies from National. I’ll do separate posts on the good and bad policies of Labour later today or tomorrow.
- After having an unprecedented no extra spending budget in an election year, will maintain fiscal discipline to get NZ back into surplus by 2014/15 – four years earlier than projected in the 2008 PREFU under Labour.
- Welfare reform. 52% of those on the DPB went onto it as teenagers and have stayed there ever since. Work testing will stop the DPB being an income source for life
- Health. Tony Ryall has done such a great job in health that it hasn’t even featured in any of the debates. Elective surgery waiting lists to be reduced from six months to four months
- Education. $1b to double the capital budget for schools, and retention of national standards so parents know in plain English how their kids are doing, but as importantly so the Government can identify the schools that are less effective and deliver more resource to them.
- Science. As massive increase in investment in Science, including transforming IRL into an Advanced Technology Institute.
- RMA Reform. A six month deadline for consenting medium sized developments
- Ultra-fast Broadband. National will continue rolling this out without delay. 100 MB/s will be available to 75% of NZ.
- Law & Order. Tighter bail laws and increased penalties for breaches of protection orders
- Industrial Relations. New employees will no longer be initially forced to join a union if there is a collective, and can decide for themselves on day one whether to join a union or not.
- Youth Unemployment. National’s Starter Wage will mean not so many young people are priced out of the labour market.
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Tags: Election 2011, National
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November 24th, 2011 at 11:05 am
Good thing for labour they made this campaign about policies not personalities… oh wait…
November 24th, 2011 at 11:05 am
6. RMA Reform. A six month deadline for consenting medium sized developments
==========
Oh Goodie! As John Banks says Auckland is set to grow by another million and that represents a “great oppurtunity” [for the members of the "$6B 20 Corporate member Property Council"----- too bad the rest of the country will have to build roads, tunnels, schools and get used to closer living!]
November 24th, 2011 at 11:08 am
Oooo shit good comeback, I’m all turned around now hj… better vote for labour now I reckon.
November 24th, 2011 at 11:09 am
DPF Reads good check out typo #7
November 24th, 2011 at 11:10 am
“After having an unprecedented no extra spending budget in an election year, will maintain fiscal discipline to get NZ back into surplus by 2014/15 – four years earlier than projected in the 2008 PREFU under Labour.”
And National will partially sell off aseets in the process. Dumb economically and the majority of voters oppose asset sales. National will continue to ignore the elephant in the room which is the rising and unsustainable cost of superannuation.
November 24th, 2011 at 11:10 am
OMG!!!! A typo????? Well hell I’m a greens supporter now for sure.
November 24th, 2011 at 11:11 am
6. RMA Reform.
Because the Chch quakes and what is happening at the Royal commision the Building Act as it relates to older buildings will almost certainly need some major changes which will no doubt add to the need for RMA reform. I assume National will have the balls to tackle these issues.
There’s also gonna be the issue of the cost of bringing up older buildings to standard. That will be another toughie for the next administration
November 24th, 2011 at 11:13 am
DPF: After having an unprecedented no extra spending budget in an election year, will maintain fiscal discipline to get NZ back into surplus by 2014/15
Or in other words: elect me, and I’ll get NZ out of debt in the term after!
The typical NZ politician. My prediction: the debt in 2014 will be bigger than in 2011. Only elect John Key a few more times, and then he’ll get you out of debt!
Without repealing free student loans, middle-class welfare, and with borrowing for tax cuts.
It’s gonna be a real miracle.
November 24th, 2011 at 11:15 am
“Welfare reform. 52% of those on the DPB went onto it as teenagers and have stayed there ever since. Work testing will stop the DPB being an income source for life.”
A lie which you’ve been called on before. The average stay on the DPB is about 5 years. Very few receipients (if any) stay on the DPB all their life. To suggest otherwise is absurd. I note you have not provided any evidence to back up your wild assertion.
Your pathological hatred of those on the DPB raises questions about whether you think it is ok that children live in poverty. The answer seems to be yes.
November 24th, 2011 at 11:16 am
oldpark>DPF Reads good check out typo #7
A typo? The internet is spoiled for all time!
November 24th, 2011 at 11:17 am
Hey don’t make fun of them david, thats their game changer right there.
November 24th, 2011 at 11:18 am
This thread was always going to be a magnet for the lefty trolls LOL
November 24th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@Murray
How many more errors before you are signing up for the communists?
November 24th, 2011 at 11:24 am
Well if they can get DPF on a conjugation error I’m there comrade!
November 24th, 2011 at 11:24 am
“Health. Tony Ryall has done such a great job in health that it hasn’t even featured in any of the debates.”
You obviously missed the first leaders debate where Key lied about there having been no cuts to front line health services. There have indeed been cuts. But when you lie as often as Key does, I guess it’s easy to miss one.
November 24th, 2011 at 11:25 am
Waaa waa waa good vote changing plan wet pants.
November 24th, 2011 at 11:26 am
ross is correct. having 110,000 people on the DPB is no problem at all!.
The rich! they are the problem. They arent paying their FAIR SHARE wah wah wah
“After having an unprecedented no extra spending budget in an election year” – brings a tear to the eye! bless em
November 24th, 2011 at 11:27 am
Thanks for that DPF.
Confirmation that National have nothing to offer .beyond slogans and lies.
November 24th, 2011 at 11:28 am
A lie which you’ve been called on before.
Don’t you have to prove someone is lying before you can’t trumpet that you have ‘called someone on it’? In what reality have you ever proved a valid point?
BTW, in case you were not aware, to quote an average does not invalidate DPF’s assertion of young ladies obtaining the DPB at 18 and staying on it for life. Or do you not understand the definition of the word average?
November 24th, 2011 at 11:30 am
@ berend 11 13, get your calculator out and do a quick total, that’s adding up, of what Philly goof is promising, the northern racist thug, the Pinstriped dwarf and the water mellons bribes then subtract, that’s take away, the amount a 70% tax on the earnings of the productive sector will yield and the result will still alarm even a muppet such as you.
November 24th, 2011 at 11:32 am
ross, you’re still lying and it is a lie that you’ve been called on before.
ross, you are a liar and a hypocrite (you must be a Labour MP surely)
November 24th, 2011 at 11:32 am
May I suggest an addition to 8. Law & Order. Tighter bail laws and increased penalties for breaches of protection orders-
National implemented and will retain the three strikes legislation (which is an improved version of similar laws in the US and addresses the shortcomings in those laws). Also, they have also promised to put in place civil detention orders for the very worst recidivist violent and sexual offenders who continue to pose a clear risk to public safety at end of sentence, and they will also introduce the deferral of parole hearings for offenders who are extremely unlikely to be granted parole.
The three strikes law in particular is very popular and National should emphasis this significant point of policy difference with Labour and the Greens
Regards
Peter J
Webmaster for http://www.sensiblesentencing.org.nz
November 24th, 2011 at 11:51 am
Numbers 5,6 and 7 need more effort. More reforms for the RMA, more coverage for ultra fast broadband and science needs a major overhaul with more bulk funding instead of strangulation by bureaucrats.
November 24th, 2011 at 11:52 am
murray’s 6 contributions to this “discussion”
>>Good thing for labour they made this campaign about policies not personalities… oh wait…
>>Oooo shit good comeback, I’m all turned around now hj…
>>OMG!!!! A typo????? Well hell I’m a greens supporter now for sure.
>>Hey don’t make fun of them david, thats their game changer right there.
>>Well if they can get DPF on a conjugation error I’m there comrade!
>>Waaa waa waa good vote changing plan wet pants.
Three things:
1) You are a self confessed admirer of Winston Peters.
2) You are a destructive troll.
3) You are an asshole.
November 24th, 2011 at 11:53 am
New employees will no longer be initially forced to join a union if there is a collective, and can decide for themselves on day one whether to join a union or not.
Could you point me to which Section of the ERA this “forcing” refers to? You might first want to check the DoL webpage p17 at
http://dol.govt.nz/er/starting/howtohireguide/hiring-guide.pdf
[DPF: Section 63(2)]
November 24th, 2011 at 11:54 am
Scott Chris and Murray, up a tree, K I S S I N G …
(to be clear, I’m saying the two of you are both being childish)
November 24th, 2011 at 11:58 am
Another addition; National (in conjunction with the Greens) have rolled out the insulation scheme for State Housing, which will save energy and reduce sickness especially in children
Regards
Peter J
Webmaster for http://www.sensiblesentencing.org.nz
November 24th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
scott – in your eyes murray be a troll and an asshole.. but at least hes not a bitch like you.
shouldnt you be off doing your filing or whatever mediocre task your boss has given you
November 24th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
“…You are a destructive troll. 3) You are an asshole…”
From the same plonker who runs off squealing like a bloated little piggie to the headmaster any time someone calls him out as a self confessed narc / nonce / pimp / ‘know all’ / boy racer / pisshead / and so on…….
Well, boo ferkin hoo..
November 24th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
“Education. $1b to double the capital budget for schools, and retention of national standards so parents know in plain English how their kids are doing…”
There are plenty of unasnwered questions re national standards, and various experts have been highly critical of the policy. It’s generally recognised that we have one of the best education systems in the world.
http://manoferrors.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/a-small-step-beyond-slactivism/
November 24th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Youth Unemployment. National’s Starter Wage will mean not so many young people are priced out of the labour market.
Well that was a weak as piss response to a major employment issue that required nothing more than removing barriers to wages. Instead the sleaze bags in the Nats and their partners decided to follow Bradford to the distasteful response of continuing control of young people and employers and deny young Kiwi’s their rights to freedom of association.
Gross fail.
And DPF I’m amazed you would consider their response as a good thing done, especially when you are about as vehment over the treatment of young people as I am.
Never appease what’s right.
November 24th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
“ross, you’re still lying and it is a lie that you’ve been called on before. ross, you are a liar and a hypocrite (you must be a Labour MP surely)”
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so they say, but please do try and have an original thought now and again…
November 24th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
“Don’t you have to prove someone is lying before you can’t trumpet that you have ‘called someone on it’?”
It has been proven…but I’ve given David a chance to redeem himself. Tell us how many on the DBP have been on the benefit all their life. He claims that 52% have been on the DPB since they were in their teens. That should be easy to prove, so why does David run for cover?
So far, David has given his readers good reasons not to vote National.
[DPF: The figure comes from this story in the NZ Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10664607
November 24th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
I don’t care what you think I’m imitating ross, but I’ve proved you are a liar and you haven’t even tried to deny it.
You’re such a hypocrite.
Perhaps you’d like to go on the record and deny you were lying about front line health cuts? I will of course prove again that you’re a liar.
November 24th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
Back to the discussion, I think David Farrar has produced a list of 10 good reasons why I will be giving two ticks to National in a couple of days time, in spite of the Epsom shenannigans and National’s socially conservative bent.
Maybe I’ll vote ACT in 2014 if they get their shit together and formulate both social and economic policy that reflects their core values.
November 24th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
“I’ve proved you are a liar”
You’ve proved you’re a troll who thinks the sun shines out of the PM’s arse. And it was John Key who lied about there being no front line health cuts.
[DPF: He didn't lie. Funding has increased massively to frontline health. But that is different to say that every single service in every single hospital in every DHB is maintained at the exact same level for all time]
November 24th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
There you go lying again. Try and prove your allegation that “it was John Key who lied about there being no front line health cuts.” You’ve said it before, and I’ve provided evidence that your allegation is wrong, and yet you still repeat it, therefore you are knowingly lying.
ross, you are a liar.
November 24th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
“BTW, in case you were not aware, to quote an average does not invalidate DPF’s assertion of young ladies obtaining the DPB at 18 and staying on it for life.”
Bevan, go back and read what DPF claimed: that more than half of those on the DPB had gone on it as teens and are still on it.
November 24th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
“Work testing will stop the DPB being an income source for life”
That is complete bullshit. You do know how work testing works in practice?
November 24th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
For me the choice is simple – I would say ‘no-brainer’ but that might imply Labour and Green’s supporters would do it too…
Vote for National to continue managing the economy through the difficult times we are facing, taking into account things potentially getting worse if Europe doesn’t short its shit out (tick x2),
or vote for Labour, with no workable policies to move the country out of debt and to continue with their raison d’être of robbing Peter to pay Paul (X).
November 24th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Perhaps it would be better for “ross”, “ste3e” and the rest of the lefty trolls here today if we just sat them down in public with a doll and quietly asked:
And where did Mr Key touch you?
November 24th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@ projectman
OR
Vote ACT to send a message to National that you havent forgotten their principled stands against the previous Labour Governments policies (particularly pre the 2005 election), and their subsequent hypocrisy. Based on their record to date I dont think National deserves your vote.
November 24th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
And 10 reasons not to:
1. Asset sales
2. Deep sea oil drilling
3. More dirty coal mines
4. Deteriorating water quality
5. Uneconomic roading projects
6. 200,000 kids in poverty
7. National Standards labelling kids failures
8. Beneficiary bashing
9. Widening income gap with Australia
10. No plan to create jobs
November 24th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
tom, recovered memory syndrome?
November 24th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
If it was not for ACT we would not have youth rates. However, while ACT would probably support all those points but in addition there would oppose NZ being a leader with the ETS and call far an end to race based seats and legislation.
November 24th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
The 10 positive reasons could be summarised by saying:
If YOU want to get ahead in a difficult economic climate then vote John Key.
If you dont want to get ahead and you want to spitefully hold back those who are prepared to work hard to do it vote Phil Goff
Oh dear I forgot to add and if you want to waste your vote – Vote for Winston First !
November 24th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
“There are 97,416 people receiving the DPB, up from 90,000 a year ago. There are 10,533 beneficiaries who have been receiving DPB for more than 10 years.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3517481/Solo-mum-racks-up-36-years-on-benefit
Now by my calculations the proportion of recipients who have been on the DPB for more than 10 years is 10.8%. Undoubtedly, the percentage would be even smaller for those who’ve been on the benefit for 20 or 30 years (ie, the former teens that DPF refers to).
November 24th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
tom, recovered memory syndrome?
More like Recovered Majority Syndrome – in that the symptoms of howling, uncontrolled outbursts of rage, tears, anxiety and depression stop once the Left regain the Treasury benches.
November 24th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
not denying that you lied then ross?
November 24th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
1. Asset sales – sweet! we can stop sending as much private capital off shore.
2. Deep sea oil drilling – be still my beating heart! yes please!
3. More dirty coal mines – fuckin a! dig baby dig!
4. Deteriorating water quality – bahaha whatever. with all the mining cash, we can buy purifiers
5. Uneconomic roading projects – a new road could cost $1.20 and a dirty hippie would say its uneconomic. lets give a life line to those poor bastards in northland.
6. 200,000 kids in poverty – 200,000? says who? didnt one of the “poor” families on that tv3 doco have a plasma? the government cant be responsible for every moron out there. personal responsibility chief.
7. National Standards labelling kids failures – fucking a! identify whos failing and get them the help they need. now “everyones a winner” report cards.
8. Beneficiary bashing – bashing? or being realistic about some of the shit bags who choose to be lazy?
9. Widening income gap with Australia – cause lefties like you stop us digging!
10. No plan to create jobs – government doesnt create jobs. it creates favorable economic conditions and the 10 new barriers to doing business your lefty block of shit would impose would hinder job creation.
November 24th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
toad,
Which of our coal mines are so dirty? Solid energy run a pretty tight ship mate.
“National standards labelling kids failures.” I know this is hard for the left to accept, but there is such a thing called objective reality. This is another example of reality denial, much like your companions in Greece have been doing for the last few years.
“No plan to create jobs” That is frankly a disgusting statement. Why? Because the left doesnt know a damn thing about job creation (unless via slavery). I dont want government centrally planned jobs, I want real jobs created by mutual trade between consenting adults. Do those words many anything to you?
I’ll leave it there.
November 24th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
“[But that is different to say that every single service in every single hospital in every DHB is maintained at the exact same level for all time]”
Shane Warne would be proud of you David. And he was a pretty handy spinner. But at least you’ve admitted, in a circuitous way, that there have been cuts to front line health services.
November 24th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
pants on fire ross
November 24th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
It’s hard not to go along with ‘dime’ particularly on points 2, 3, 5, 8 & the answer to the lot…..his 9. What will it take before the socialists drift down from the clouds & bravely look reality in the face. Mining is going to happen in NZ….the only question is when.
We can do it now in a controlled manner while protecting the environment OR we can wait until governments have had to borrow so much to pay for the groceries that we no longer have any say in our own destiny. That is to say that when the credit runs out & the overseas investors demand repayment the Green wankers will be brushed aside(or whatever China does with opponents) & drilling will commence.
Common sense dictates that we do it on our terms rather than that of the International Official Assignee.
November 24th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
RightNow says:- “pants on fire ross”
Good to see you’ve acknowledged your inner child…..
November 24th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
‘Education. $1b to double the capital budget for schools, and retention of national standards so parents know in plain English how their kids are doing, but as importantly so the Government can identify the schools that are less effective and deliver more resource to them.’
Except the actual policy is to ‘shift the resourcing model so that it incentivises performance’, which is the exact opposite to ‘identify the schools that are less effective and deliver more resource to them’.
November 24th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Ummm Toad:
2. Deep sea oil drilling
3. More dirty coal mines
5. Uneconomic roading projects
10. No plan to create jobs
Don’t 2, 3 & 5 actually create jobs & substantial wealth?
November 24th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Yep Scott, my inner child can come out to play. It almost reminds me of the quote on the wall at Smiths the Grocers, but not enough to actually remember what the quote was. Must pop back there for a coffee and take a photo.
Didn’t you think my ‘K I S S I N G’ comment was inner childish enough? I thought for sure you’d appreciate the irony, although I probably ruined it by clarifying what I was implying.
November 24th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
1. they aren’t Labour
2. they aren’t Labour
3. repeat as necessary
Sorry DPF, National is just the lesser of two evils.
November 24th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Rightnow says:- “my inner child can come out to play.”
Well that’s fine, as long as you don’t indoctrinate him with any false ideologies. He really should be in school you know, learning how to be a good little conformist and patriot.
November 24th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
1. Asset sales – Absolutely. to 49% only. An investment for Mum & Dad kiwis. A great idea. We need the dollars.
2. Deep sea oil drilling – For sure. Its pointless having billions of dollars left alone on the seabed.
3. More dirty coal mines – brilliant! Chinese pay top dollar so lets dig / sell. Open cast is best – go for it.
4. Deteriorating water quality – compared to what? India? Bwahahahaaaa. Drink rainwater instead if you wish. Its free.
5. Uneconomic roading projects – Clearly you don’t understand ROI. Look it up before posting such crap.
6. 200,000 kids in poverty – bollocks. Prioritise spending. If you can’t afford Lotto / KFC / pokies, then don’t do it.
7. National Standards labelling kids failures – Once these kids have been identified they can get remedial teaching. Great!
8. Beneficiary bashing – For genuine cases only. Career bludgers – game over.
9. Widening income gap with Australia. Australia’s economy only good thanks to mining. Get the picture?
10. No plan to create jobs. Once there is an economy that is vibrant, businesses can create jobs.
FIFY…
November 24th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Well said Elaycee. Re item 9: people think Australia is rich thanks to a mining boom, in fact they have one sector which is booming even more with even higher returns – offshore drilling, they’re absolutely coining it from gas production, how evil of them.
November 24th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
1. Asset sales – Yes but not into this equities market. Why would you sell equities in prime state assets into a market that will undervalue them to save borrowing at historically low interest. Makes absolute sense.
2. Deep sea oil drilling – Yep fuck the penguins, fishermen and whales, who needs them.
3. More coal mines – brilliant! Chinese pay top dollar so lets dig / sell. Open cast is best – go for it. Start in Epsom
4. Deteriorating water quality – Drink red bull
.
5. Uneconomic roading projects – no worries just add more petrol tax
6. 200,000 kids in poverty – bollocks. Prioritise spending. If you can’t afford food don’t feed them
7. National Standards labelling kids failures – Once these kids have been identified hide them – oops thats only for private schools
8. Beneficiary bashing – new national sport now we’ve got the RWC
9. Widening income gap with Australia. Australia’s economy only good thanks to mining and a 45% top marginal tax rate, land tax, stamp duty, compulsory superannuation, 10% GST, Capital gains Tax and a much stronger union movement.
10. No plan to create jobs. Once there is an economy that is vibrant, businesses can send more dividends off shore
There, fixed
November 24th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
“[DPF: The figure comes from this story in the NZ Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=1066467”
David,
The Herald article you linked to doesn’t support your comment above. The article says:
“Responding to an Official Information Act request, ministry head Peter Hughes told economist Susan St John that 52 per cent of mothers on the DPB and aged 29 or under at the end of last year first received the DPB or EMA as teenagers.”
You said something quite different. Even after I explained that only 10.8% of DPB recipients stay on the DPB more than 10 years, you have not admitted you are wrong. Should I have expected any different? Feel free to correct your false claim but I won’t hold my breath. I guess if you think it’s accpetable for John Key to lie, why wouldn’t you think that it’s ok for you to lie?
November 24th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Herre is 62(3):
At the time when the employee enters into the individual employment agreement with an employer, the employer must—
(a) inform the employee—
(i) that the collective agreement exists and covers work to be done by the employee; and
(ii) that the employee may join the union that is a party to the collective agreement; and
(iii) about how to contact the union; and
(iv) that, if the employee joins the union, the employee will be bound by the collective agreement; and
(v) that, during the first 30 days of the employee’s employment, the employee’s terms and conditions of employment comprise—
(A) the terms and conditions in the collective agreement that would bind the employee if the employee were a member of the union; and
(B) any additional terms and conditions mutually agreed to by the employee and employer that are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions in the collective agreement; and
(b) give the employee a copy of the collective agreement; and
(c) if the employee agrees, inform the union as soon as practicable that the employee has entered into the individual employment agreement with the employer.
Nowhere does it ‘force’ union membership. The employee ‘may’ join the union, but is not required to at all. For the first 30 days, that employee’s conditions are covered by the extant CEA. If the employee chooses not to join the union, the agreement remains an IEA, opwn to renegotiation by the parties. You are clearly confusing the 30 Day Rule with union membership. It is not. The conditions offered in those 30 days are those of the extant CEA; there is no requirement at all to join the union. Your policy point remains wrong. Union membership in NZ is voluntary.
November 24th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
And here is 63(2):
For the first 30 days after the employee enters into an individual employment agreement, the employee’s terms and conditions of employment comprise—
(a) the terms and conditions in the collective agreement that would bind the employee if the employee were a member of the union; and
(b) any additional terms and conditions mutually agreed to by the employee and employer that are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions in the collective agreement.
You will nte that it is an IEA for this period (unless the employee chooses to join the union, the operative word being “chooses”). It remains an IEA if the employee so wishes.
November 24th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
How can National claim of having presented a no extra spending and balanced budget this year? They already included some proceeds from planned part sales (49 %) of state owned assets in the budget, while no sale has taken place yet. And then they claim that the shares will be sold to “Kiwi mums and dads” before anyone else. That is legally not even possible, because preferring NZ investors would represent a breach of the China NZ Free Trade Agreement. Under chapter 11 and particularly under articles 137, 138 and 143 it stipulates, that investors from the partner country (in this case Mainland China) must not be treated any different from local (NZ) investors. Maybe the advice that the government got from 3 appointed advisors earlier this month does contain that and other details, which we are being denied, due to Key and his government not wanting to reveal their report. So as voters, how can we trust a PM and his party on this? Read for yourselves what the FTA states: http://www.chinafta.govt.nz/1-The-agreement/2-Text-of-the-agreement/12-Chapt-11-Investment/index.php#11. HC
November 24th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
“3. Health. Tony Ryall has done such a great job in health that it hasn’t even featured in any of the debates. Elective surgery waiting lists to be reduced from six months to four months.” Yes, and I have been told by various providers, for instance in the mental health field, where they have been confronted with cost cutting, which forced them to reduce services. I also know about a case, where a refugee, who is now a citizen, has not so long ago got his family into NZ, and within months they all were on social security benefits, plus one older family member was given free public health care in the form of an operation only 8 months after arrival, while never having worked and paid taxes in NZ. On the other hand I as a resident of over 22 years did get a letter from the health board not long ago, demanding I prove my entitlement to free health care in NZ. I was gobsmacked. And this is happening under the watch of Key, Ryall and Coleman, all National Party members and ministers, supposedly delivering the right measures for our future. What a big joke!
November 24th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
“9. Industrial Relations. New employees will no longer be initially forced to join a union if there is a collective, and can decide for themselves on day one whether to join a union or not.” I know of no workers who are forced to join a union. Only do workers in various cases get treated the same way as the members of a collective agreement, which is hardly bad. Most workers are not even union members and are only employed on a take it or leave it individual contract. While officially an employee is supposed to be free to “negotiate”, the job market and other conditions usually leave no real room for an employee to truly negotiate with an employer. It is mostly take it or leave it, what the employer offers, particularly for low skilled and low paid. So National’s industrial relations policies simply favour employers even more, which is of course not necessarily that good for the emploee. I could comment of a few other points listed above, but I want to give others the chance to comment also.