Dear Supporter,
Green Party exploit housing crisis for tax agenda
You don’t make anything cheaper by taxing it. But the Green Party doesn't understand or doesn't care: they're using news of skyrocketing house prices as an excuse to put an asset/housing tax back on the agenda <[link removed]>.
Jacinda Ardern has pledged not to introduce a wealth tax, but the Greens think she can sidestep this promise by introducing “changes to the bright line test” or “some form of taxes on large accumulations of asset wealth”.
We say the Prime Minister needs to stick to her word and tell the Greens they're dreaming.
The media's insistence on retreading the tired wealth tax debate is an unfortunate distraction from the flawed policies that have contributed to our housing crisis.
In yesterday's NZ Herald I pointed out that taxpayer-funded handouts for first home buyers are pumping up house prices:
Click here to view a larger image <[link removed]>, or click here if you are a Premium Herald customer <[link removed]>.
Why is Creative NZ sponsoring left-wing opinion pieces?
Creative NZ is funding articles on left-wing opinion website The Spinoff <[link removed]> to pressure the Government to remove direct democracy from local government wards:
A follow-up is titled, ‘Want to petition council to veto your local Māori ward? Bad news – you can!’ <[link removed]>. Other opinion pieces in this series profile Ihumātao protestors <[link removed]>, make fun of right-wing Twitter users <[link removed]>, and praise Nanaia Mahuta’s appointment as Foreign Minister <[link removed]>.
Many New Zealanders would be appalled to know their hard-earned taxes are being used to promote political stances they disagree with. When government agencies engage in propaganda they undermine the neutrality of the public sector and the fairness of democracy.
A search of Creative NZ’s website <[link removed]> reveals $222,000 given in grants to The Spinoff since 2016.
It seems Creative NZ is keen on funding left-wing propaganda, but not the opposing arguments. Regardless, political opinion pieces do not support the creative sector. Creative NZ should stick to its knitting or shut down and return its funds to the taxpayer.
It's time for closure on Pike River
This week marks ten years since the disaster at Pike River.
The ill-fated ‘recovery’ project has cost over $50 million in taxpayer money. No human remains have been recovered, no forensic information retrieved.
As tragic as the event was, we've come to the reluctant conclusion that it's time to call off the recovery.
Sealing the mine will provide closure to the families, many of whom do not support the ‘re-entry’, and a memorial will be a place for all New Zealanders to pay their respects.
This has been a highly political process. The then-National Government was opposed to re-entry on scientific and engineering grounds. Labour spokesperson, now Minister, Andrew Little loudly disagreed. He made it an election pledge, and after their win he became Minister for Pike River Re-entry and formed the Pike River Recovery Agency. The Agency has around 40 staff.
In March <[link removed]>, the Minister and the Agency predicted finishing the re-entry by July or August. It is now November, little progress has been made, and the budget has doubled. It gives us no joy to say it, but it is time to cut our losses.
Media have captured the comments of Marion Curtin <[link removed]> who has 'spoken out reluctantly and occasionally'. The Christchurch retiree, whose son Richard Holling died at Pike River, is appalled re-entry went ahead, saying: "To me it was politically motivated before the previous election. I objected to my son’s death being used as a political ploy. I have never been shown or told anything that justified re-entry."
Wellington ratepayers threatened with gargantuan rate hike
Wellington City Council this week confirmed that a 23 percent rate hike is on the cards <[link removed]> for next year.
The Council's plan is probably to revise that down to 10 or 15 percent and then expect ratepayers to be grateful. That's still completely unacceptable. Councillors must suspend pet projects and focus on cost-cutting.
We'll be campaigning hard against this. There's a danger for ratepayers across the country: if our capital sets the precedent of a double-digit rate hike, other councils may follow Wellington's lead.
Yesterday I emailed our Wellington supporters with a call to arms. If you live in Wellington City but didn't receive yesterday's email, reply to this and I'll add you to the list for this issue.
Quote of the week
Click here to share on Facebook. <[link removed]>
Have a great weekend,
Louis Houlbrooke
Campaigns Manager
New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
<[link removed]> <[link removed]>
Media coverage:
Newstalk ZB Taxpayers' Union Analyst Neil Miller on The Huddle <[link removed]>
Point of Order Hey, we have some influence, but maybe not enough in the right circles to secure a share of $30,000 propaganda job <[link removed]>
NZ Herald Louis Houlbrooke: How the Govt is fuelling the housing market fire <[link removed]>
Newshub Wellington residents facing biggest rate hike in 25 years <[link removed]>
Point of Order Creative NZ support for propaganda adds up to $222,000 that won’t go to artists <[link removed]>
Point of Order Creative NZ gives support to the art of pressing MPs to change “racist” law and facilitate race-based voting systems <[link removed]>
RNZ What panellists Laila Harre and Neil Miller have been thinking <[link removed]>
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New Zealand Taxpayers' Union Inc. - 117 Lambton Quay, Level 4, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
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