If National wins ...

[CJ]

And I quite liked Colin Espiner. He's not putting all the facts straight though. Some of the following comments spell it out. Rio Tinto get to negotiate for their power rates, and they're about 25% of retail prices. This model could easily work. We need to be capitalistic in areas where we can compete, and socialistic where NZ's population, resources and geographical isolation make us uncompetitive.We need to be capitalistic in areas where we can compete, and socialistic where NZ's population, resources and geographical isolation make us uncompetitive.

Tiwai doesn't have to pay for transmission (except for a short direct cable), distribution or retail. And for the generation, it is buying in bulk so of corse it's prices are a lot lower than retail.

[elZorro]

Tiwai doesn't have to pay for transmission (except for a short direct cable), distribution or retail. And for the generation, it is buying in bulk so of course its prices are a lot lower than retail.

Granted, but their cost is one quarter of the consumer retail price? Generations of taxpayers had to cover the capital cost of Manapouri, Rio Tinto didn't have any costs there. But the point is that Manapouri has an asset or replacement value, yet its capital cost has been paid off. This unit, and other hydros like it, generates 70% of our power, for 0.5c to 1.0c per kWhr cost.

For many years successive governments have used their control over power generation to levy a bit of extra tax. Retail prices in particular have not been as competitive as in other countries, and the GST rate of 15% has not helped end-users. Labour/Greens are simply setting up a proposal to tax a bit less, in the hope that it will stimulate the economy. And it should do. Lower income earners spend most of their income, so power savings will normally be spent in other retail areas.

I'm pleased to see the Greens and Labour standing together on this idea, it's a powerful message. If they want to achieve results in the next parliamentary term, the first step is to win the elections.

[slimwin]

It's a powerful message alright. Either party is happy to pursue their own self interests by using economic suicide.

[fungus pudding]

It's a powerful message alright. Either party is happy to pursue their own self interests by using economic suicide.

Don't you mean econmic treason? Although I hope it turns out to be suicide.

[POSSUM THE CAT]

Why not solve the problem simply Sell Manapouri to Rio Tinto the wanted to build & own it in the first place

[fungus pudding]

Why not solve the problem simply Sell Manapouri to Rio Tinto the wanted to build & own it in the first place

What problem would that solve? And how?

[craic]

How long will the Labour Party take to find a charismatic leader with positive policies and not the negative "anything the government does, we will undo - without any consideration of whether it is right or wrong" I know that all the main parties, from time to time elect leaders that are without substance or appeal and only hang around for a limited time. But if they really expect to win the treasury benches, then they need their star performer to walk on stage now, not after most of the audience has left. I expect to do well out of Shearers pronouncement on nationalising power simply because the fleeing investors from that sector may boost the demand for Telecom shares.

[elZorro]

How long will the Labour Party take to find a charismatic leader with positive policies and not the negative "anything the government does, we will undo - without any consideration of whether it is right or wrong" I know that all the main parties, from time to time elect leaders that are without substance or appeal and only hang around for a limited time. But if they really expect to win the treasury benches, then they need their star performer to walk on stage now, not after most of the audience has left. I expect to do well out of Shearers pronouncement on nationalising power simply because the fleeing investors from that sector may boost the demand for Telecom shares.

Craic, are you saying John Key is charismatic? He's still popular enough though. David Shearer is getting better at the job, he'll be fine by 2014.

The power cost saving proposal is not radical, it just means the govt and MRP/CEN make a little less profit. $300 per household p.a. implies the retail saving will be small percentage-wise. Today someone rang up for a phone survey about my opinion on various matters affecting NZ. Sensing it could be political in nature, I said yes to a 35 minute survey. I'm not sure who commissioned it, Nat/Lab/TEL/SKY, but the questions were around those NZ issues, and who would I vote for in an election held today. Possum, I did my best .

[craic]

JK leaves Shearer for dead as a leader. He is popular. Have a look at the drop in the NZX when Shearer made his pronouncement, albeit with a certain Green hand up his back working the strings. There will not be a $300 reduction - what will occur is that the price will remain the same or increase and the excuse will be that the price would have increased by more than $300 had they not taken the steps they took.

Craic, are you saying John Key is charismatic? He's still popular enough though. David Shearer is getting better at the job, he'll be fine by 2014.

The power cost saving proposal is not radical, it just means the govt and MRP/CEN make a little less profit. $300 per household p.a. implies the retail saving will be small percentage-wise. Today someone rang up for a phone survey about my opinion on various matters affecting NZ. Sensing it could be political in nature, I said yes to a 35 minute survey. I'm not sure who commissioned it, Nat/Lab/TEL/SKY, but the questions were around those NZ issues, and who would I vote for in an election held today. Possum, I did my best .

[elZorro]

FP, wasn't it you who said watch Face the Nation or Q&A to see a poor performance by David Parker? I watched both and David Parker was well prepared for any questions. Like the Greens, their research on these matters goes back many years. I thought Rachael Smalley's questions showed a big lack of understanding of economics on the part of whoever posed them for her. That explained Parker's responses, he probably couldn't believe the inane questions.

In the SST today, a good writeup on the need for a systematic approach to R&D in NZ, and while those giving their views are part of the current system, the data implies the SME sector in NZ needs prodding. They're spending only 0.6% of GDP on R&D, and the OECD average is 1.6%, nearly three times higher.

I was most impressed by an article written by Jesse Medcalf on the facing page (D7), giving his views on the importance of IT career support at Secondary and Tertiary levels. He showed great perception about the new world 7th formers (year13) are entering.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/85...-with-IT-goal/