ACT's David Seymour - i like his style.

[Bjauck]

Locked in schemes. We used to allow life insurance premiums to be tax deductible. Australia's system of self funded retirees is interesting. In a nutshell - for those who have built up a decent income from investments and assets can forget about receiving their superannuation and in return pay no income tax.

https://www.catchtherisingtide.com.a...ed-retirement/

I have a few mates who have opted for the scheme. They're very happy.

The Australians also have an interesting way of dealing with Health costs with high income earners getting a rebate for private insurance premiums and an extra levy if they don't take out private insurance, if I understand their scheme correctly.

And in the UK and Australia real estate and some other property transactions often have stamp duties. However, true, there are various caveats put on the financial investment schemes. However the incentives to invest in financial investments, half-hearted though they may be, are more attractive than what NZ has in place for either retirement or non-retirement savings. Hence the continuing overwhelming appeal in NZ to use the tax-preferred owner-occupied housing as a means of investment as well as the provision of home and shelter.

At least the NZ imputation scheme was introduced to resolve the double taxation issues from NZ dividend payments. A next step will be to eliminate the taxation on the inflation component of a fixed interest investment's return.

[fungus pudding]

The Australians also have an interesting way of dealing with Health costs with high income earners getting a rebate for private insurance premiums and an extra levy if they don't take out private insurance, if I understand their scheme correctly.

And in the UK and Australia real estate and some other property transactions often have stamp duties. However, true, there are various caveats put on the financial investment schemes. However the incentives to invest in financial investments, half-hearted though they may be, are more attractive than what NZ has in place for either retirement or non-retirement savings. Hence the continuing overwhelming appeal in NZ to use the tax-preferred owner-occupied housing as a means of investment as well as the provision of home and shelter.

At least the NZ imputation scheme was introduced to resolve the double taxation issues from NZ dividend payments. A next step will be to eliminate the taxation on the inflation component of a fixed interest investment's return.

What is the inflation component of a fixed interest investment?

[Bjauck]

What is the inflation component of a fixed interest investment?

If your td earns 3% gross pa or 2% after tax, and the increase in CPI is 2% pa, the effective inflation adjusted net yield on your term deposit is zero.

[tim23]

You are dreaming if you think ACT will ever get another MP - one is already too many and thats a gift from the Tories anyway.

It's not wrong. Act has always had good policies but have never managed to sell them to voters. I intend to vote National this time, but may switch to Act if it looks like they will get over the hump for a second MP, or hopefully - even a third.

[minimoke]

You are dreaming if you think ACT will ever get another MP - one is already too many and thats a gift from the Tories anyway.

Paying teachers based on performance rather than collective lowest common denominator seems like a good idea to me

[Bjauck]

Paying teachers based on performance rather than collective lowest common denominator seems like a good idea to me

If you have excellent teachers but in an area of increasing poverty, increasing overcrowding and/or substandard housing and poor quality equipment, the chances are their performance will suffer. If some teachers increasingly have students who are inadequately nourished and clothed and the students continually fall ill, then some teachers have a deteriorating environment in which they try to teach

[artemis]

If you have excellent teachers but in an area of increasing poverty, increasing overcrowding and/or substandard housing and poor quality equipment, the chances are their performance will suffer. If some teachers increasingly have students who are inadequately nourished and clothed and the students continually fall ill, then some teachers have a deteriorating environment in which they try to teach

The Ministry for Vulnerable Children should be knocking at those doors then, with a view to removing those children to a home where they will be fed, clothed, not overcrowded, get the health care they need, and be supported at school.

That would remove the burden from teachers, who are supposed to be there to teach. And from parents who are not caring properly for their children,

[minimoke]

The Ministry for Vulnerable Children should be knocking at those doors then, with a view to removing those children to a home where they will be fed, clothed, not overcrowded, get the health care they need, and be supported at school.

That would remove the burden from teachers, who are supposed to be there to teach. And from parents who are not caring properly for their children,

Exactly.
Get the teachers teaching - and reward the good ones. Get the social workers social working - and likewise reward the good ones.

Above all set some consequences for parents who aren't providing the basics and prefer to have their children in "poverty"

[Bjauck]

Exactly.
Get the teachers teaching - and reward the good ones. Get the social workers social working - and likewise reward the good ones

Agreed. Spot on!

[minimoke]

If you have excellent teachers but in an area of increasing poverty, increasing overcrowding and/or substandard housing and poor quality equipment, the chances are their performance will suffer. If some teachers increasingly have students who are inadequately nourished and clothed and the students continually fall ill, then some teachers have a deteriorating environment in which they try to teach

You may find excellent teachers shine through in these areas