If National wins ...

[artemis]

Income testing is means testing.

Yes it does normally mean income. But 'means' refers to what a person or family has available to them, and could/should include assets. As in 'a person of means'. In practice, income testing and asset testing need to go hand in hand, or there will be wholesale swapping between them.

[Daytr]

Perhaps assets outside the family home? I know it can still be fudged, but I don't think many are going spend a fortune on their home just to $300 a week or whatever it is, & perhaps it could be scaled out rather tan a hard & fast line.

[artemis]

Artemis, there certainly aren't many jobs in Northland. Unemployment stands at 9% and youth unemployment 27% I believe.
I realize its a global thing with urbanization, however centralization of government services is also contributing. They are now looking at centralizing the council into one super council in Whangarei which will be another nail in the coffin of regional Northland. Also Northland has more unemployment than other similar regions in NZ.

Maybe the anti mining protesters should get out of the way then and Northland can follow Taranaki's example. And what about the Ngapuhi treaty settlement which is being delayed by infighting. Plus there is supposed to be a significant black economy in Northland. How many working in that economy are also recorded in the unemployment figures?

In any case that is just one region and there are lots of jobs available elsewhere. How about the thousands of seasonal workers that come in every year? Noting to stop the unemployed working a few months a year in seasonal jobs, and they might decide they prefer it to lying on the sofa with the xbox.

I am sure I heard Grant Robertson say recently that youth unemployment (NEETs) in the region was around 15%. Not 27%.

[artemis]

Perhaps assets outside the family home? I know it can still be fudged, but I don't think many are going spend a fortune on their home just to $300 a week or whatever it is, & perhaps it could be scaled out rather tan a hard & fast line.

Think of all the bureaucrats, lawyers and accountants who will be busy. That's the case in Australia which has a complex income and assets regime according to my rellies there who have (their words) creative accountants. Needs a cost benefit analysis before any such decision is made - current system is dead simple to understand and administer, and bear in mind marginal tax rates kick in so it's not all free money. Plus, which political party is going to campaign on this policy. Yep. None.

Maybe a rise in eligibility age would be more acceptable though.

[Daytr]

Yep you are right its political leprosy, but that's not to say it shouldn't be done.
As long as its a meaningful figure.
The difficulty is when you include the family home people in Auckland say are penalized as home values are much higher.
There is a lot of law around intent, I would like to see this more used in regards tax avoidance.

[Daytr]

Are you serious!
Ignorance reigns I see.
How would you like it if the party that is culpable for the compensation was dictating who they will negotiate with even if its not the correct authority?
Well I just looked up the unemployment stats. on-line but its hard to get a break down by age. What I did see is participation rate dropped from 64% to 61% in Northland from 2012 to 2013. Not a great stat. !
In regards mining, yes lets rip up one of the most beautiful parts of the country & that has high rainfall & flooding virtually every year. Perhaps people want better & a sustainable vision. Perhaps they want better roads without slips & potholes on their main highways rather than 10 new bridges.
Northland is a massive primary industry exporter, however little value is retained here. The Nats are so out of touch in regards what the average Northlander wants. By the way the Nats. have already tried to silence one protestor community action group courtesy of Dr Reti. But according to him his behavior which was boarder on blackmail was in his words "good". Great standard they have set for themselves there.

Maybe the anti mining protesters should get out of the way then and Northland can follow Taranaki's example. And what about the Ngapuhi treaty settlement which is being delayed by infighting. Plus there is supposed to be a significant black economy in Northland. How many working in that economy are also recorded in the unemployment figures?

In any case that is just one region and there are lots of jobs available elsewhere. How about the thousands of seasonal workers that come in every year? Noting to stop the unemployed working a few months a year in seasonal jobs, and they might decide they prefer it to lying on the sofa with the xbox.

I am sure I heard Grant Robertson say recently that youth unemployment (NEETs) in the region was around 15%. Not 27%.

[westerly]

""...
just too funny........ and i grew up in a town that has 10 foot high fences around its schools.

And where would that be?

westerly

[elZorro]

Some possibly good news from Scoop today. If you are a leftie.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO150...d-ipredict.htm

Mark Osborne in a not-so-good radio interview. He knew the rumours about Sabin, but wasn't going to let that stop Sabin from being a candidate for Northland in 2014.

http://www.radiolive.co.nz/AUDIO-Nor...5/Default.aspx

[Daytr]

El Zorro, that's not quite correct. He says he knew in December when he starting seeing things in the paper so that's well past the election.
However Anne Tolly minister of police at the time refuses to answer the question if she knew. If she didn't why wouldn't she just say so?

[neopoleII]

to daytr..... it seems that in my previous post that you commented on the only word or words you were worried about was "we"
and "some" know that is a favorite socialist word.... so my mistake...... at least you didnt complain about the things helen did.

to westerly..... here is a link to my old school.... i admit the fence is not 10 ft tall but they do have a "contraband" check point
controlled by the cops..... as it was all those years ago when i was there...... but then some might dispute the google camara.
and i have mentioned the school i went to many times in other threads.
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-37.0...8o8xrHOdcw!2e0

not sure the link will work.... so the school is james cook high school in manurewa.
the school actually gave me a good education, with lots of help from my parents....
so the school is not blame for the districts issues..... it seems to be the parents.

from now on i will refrain to IMHO
cheers guys