If National wins ...

[macduffy]

i will defiantly vote for them

"Defiantly" or "Definitely", neopole?

Or, perhaps, both?

[Daytr]

As far as I'm aware a UBI was a concept in relation to the acceleration of automation and that many jobs that exist now won't in the medium term.
There are many functions or jobs that could be performed now that we don't value, particularly in the area of the environment.
We have massive issues around pest control be it flora or fauna, beach erosion, thousands of tons of rubbish along our roads.
There are also a number of health care related roles particularly helping with the elderly and disabled and special needs.
Fund those jobs before giving out money for nothing.

[elZorro]

As far as I'm aware a UBI was a concept in relation to the acceleration of automation and that many jobs that exist now won't in the medium term.
There are many functions or jobs that could be performed now that we don't value, particularly in the area of the environment.
We have massive issues around pest control be it flora or fauna, beach erosion, thousands of tons of rubbish along our roads.
There are also a number of health care related roles particularly helping with the elderly and disabled and special needs.
Fund those jobs before giving out money for nothing.

I agree, Daytr. Those job schemes in the 80s were an interesting way of tackling unemployment.

An aside: Meridian capitulates to NZAS on the terms of the contract, and may yet be able to pass on reduced transmission costs to the smelter. One seventh of our power use to one customer, if they drop out Huntly's older units go, along with our backup power. Then a combination of electricity suppliers would need to spend billions on new power stations somewhere, if we ever get the economy going again. http://www.nzresources.com/attachmen...ridianNZAS.pdf

[Daytr]

I see Key has back flipped in regards the taxpayer paying his legal bills & settlement in the defamation case he lost.
Its not the first time he's done a back flip by any means, but its probably one of his quickest.
What was he thinking! Absolute PR disaster.
He really seems to be losing the plot.

[fungus pudding]

I see Key has back flipped in regards the taxpayer paying his legal bills & settlement in the defamation case he lost.
Its not the first time he's done a back flip by any means, but its probably one of his quickest.
What was he thinking! Absolute PR disaster.
He really seems to be losing the plot.

I don't think so. It's because that's the parliamentary ruling.

[elZorro]

I see Key has back flipped in regards the taxpayer paying his legal bills & settlement in the defamation case he lost.
Its not the first time he's done a back flip by any means, but its probably one of his quickest.
What was he thinking! Absolute PR disaster.
He really seems to be losing the plot.

I think JK needs to get some more media training, listen to some more focus groups, pay for some more C-T advice.

[winner69]

National could govern alone after next election if they made interest on term deposits tax free income for those over 60 (if not everybody)

The oldies would love it

[fungus pudding]

National could govern alone after next election if they made interest on term deposits tax free income for those over 60 (if not everybody)

The oldies would love it

No responsible government would do that. Income is income, and as long as we have income tax it would be ridiculous to exclude one form of it.

[BlackPeter]

I think JK needs to get some more media training, listen to some more focus groups, pay for some more C-T advice.

you are probably right EZ ... and fully agree that John Key didn't made a particular good figure in this saga. He just should have paid up (with his own cash) and shut up, given his undignified comments in the first place. He now comes across as thoughtless and arrogant. However - you give at the same time an amazing illustration of the famous citation from the "good book" (Matthew 7:3):

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Shouldn't you worry first about Andrew Little's lack of media training, PR skills and his hapless attempts to befriend the populists no matter the moral cost (people with Chinese sounding names, foreign chefs ...)?

[westerly]

National could govern alone after next election if they made interest on term deposits tax free income for those over 60 (if not everybody)

The oldies would love it

Given the pathetically low interest rates the Gvt. return from this source is minimal. Savers are being shafted by the Central banks policies of quantitative easing. The elderly are more likely pursuing SKI policies.