One of the biggest dangers in politics is over-hyping. It is hard to resist in this age of 24 hours news, and the need to keep the press gallery happy. If we were to believe the media of recent days John Key’s opening statement was going to deliver the plan for a step change in our economy. Key was to regail us with the plan, missing for all of the first year in government.
Well the postman has not delivered. We have some vague promises on tax, and a lot of rehashed social policy. An increase in GST, but no commitment to how he will compensate those on low incomes who will be the most effected. There is a sudden interest in research and development, after having cut the $700 million Fast Forward fund and the R+D tax credits.
For me it fails develop a vision for helping to create jobs, to develop the skills of New Zealanders and a sustainable economy and fairer society for the future.
UPDATE: Seems John Armstrong was not that impressed either.
There is nothing in the speech that had not already been foretold…
I have to agree millsy. The Dominon Post has leapt on harsh words about beneficiaries (not unusual for the National party), planning to plough on with changes in secondary education (as stated clearly every day last week), and two reports of information from different economic working groups comes up with a GST increase. (Well that was taxpayers’ money well spent, couldn’t Treasury have done that for the government). Oh, and lets not forget opening up conservation land for mining, as Gerry Brownlee has been pushing for.
The speech seems to have been redundant really – it is more a confession about sins long planned.
Hi. You had some readers last requesting that they could embed the video from inthehouse. We’re now hosting all video through You Tube so anyone can now embed anywhere at anytime.
Cheers dave and the team at http://www.inthehouse.co.nz
When I walk out my front door, I see Mt Taranaki standing in the distance. Now Gerry is going to let the Chinese mine that whole mountain out. Just like Moria.
@ millsy: I hope the Nat Govt are not thinking they have a brilliant strategy to hollow out Mt Taranaki to give to the Chinese so that we can close the gap with Australia???