Doogie, I am surprised you cannot see the one does not negate the other! There is no conflict in the two statements.

'I strongly support his right to free speech!"

and

"Jens is nothing but a pest
He has hijacked interesting thread after worthwhile thread".

Jens has a perfect right to say whatever he likes and I, for one, would defend that.

On the other hand, I do not have to like what he says especially when he's accusing me of being envious, sulky and communist! If I object to that then I think it's my right to say so.

Was late having lunch today so sat and watched question time etc. What a laugh saw the future deputy leader of the Labour Opposition (Winnie the Pooh )making the usual fool of himself,but the biggest chortle came when Little Andrew (I think that's what his mummy and daddy named him) got up and the greatest thing that happened was that the more worked up he became the further he seemed to project his spitting . I am glad I was not sitting in front of him,the poor M.P must have had a very wet head.

Hi folks, I enjoy casual jokes, but prefer serious dicussion not so much about WHO is right or wrong, but about WHAT is right or wrong, or more effective or less effective.

So I am somewhat embarrassed about ending up repetitive like a brainwashing commercial "propaganda pest", but what choice is there, when all thinking people agree something has to be done about superannuation sustainability (and all the rest indirectly and directly in connection with that, e.g. adequate wealth creation etc), and then come up repetitively with the same propositions: Reduced payments, higher tax rates, means testing, lifting entitlement age - with no mention of a savings rate component built into our taxation rate?

This is not the same as increased taxation into the Consolidated Fund for Govt.to spend.

It is an increased savings rate for investment and widening New Zealand wealth ownership creation, as some of you grownups are thoroughly bored to hear - but not enthusiastic to discuss and debate the pros and cons of it one way or the other, to aim for a consensus based on open discussion, not undebated views by any influential interest group.

I promise to give up repetitive and any occasionally perhaps innovative pestering on that subject matter from the moment it is credibly shown to be only second best, or not good at all.

That should be revealed the sooner more widespread discussion is achieved , with participation by some professional economists and commentators.

I was listening to National radio this morning and was shocked to hear the government had included in the TransPacific Partnership Agreement the right for foreign companies to sue NZ governments if legislative changes affect their profits. The Australian government have been smart enough to exclude this clause in their agreement.

John told us this wasn't the case when the issue of tobacco companies suing over anti smoking legislation raised its head recently but it seems he doesn't know what Tim Grosser is agreeing to.

But worse than that is Tim Grosser doesn't know what is being negotiated as he said in the interview that he hadn't seen the agreement so couldn't comment.

This means that Tim isn't asking questions about what is being discussed and agreed to and will be in no position to change anything once the agreement is finalised and presented for signing.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse the incompetence of this government continues to amaze me.

"The underlying point he makes I think is valid, but what is frustrating is that he brings this into discussions that are not necessarily directly related. "

Well said,Tahi. Its the constant repetition in completely unrelated threads which is so annoying,because it sometimes has the effect of ending any actual discussion.


"but what choice is there,"

Its pretty simple Jens. You choose NOT to bring your hobby horse into threads not on that subject...


"Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse the incompetence of this government continues to amaze me."


Interesting times ahead,then - oh joy!

Budget surplus in 2014 - yeah right.

Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard has said the Government will not return to suplus until two years after Treasury's 2014-15 estimated timeframe.

In response to a question from Labour MP David Parker at Parliament's finance and expenditure select committee, Bollard also agreed the delayed return to surplus would see government debt about $10 billion higher than currently forecast.

So much for John knowing how to get the economy moving again.

Now I wonder how long John and Bill will continue with the line that the return to surplus is still on track?

Cheers

Hero

In part, I just read this from a political report from ZB today....

""The inquiry is not good news for National. But its counter argument that Labour and the Greens are anti job growth is one that'll pick up traction. The opposition's job is, funnily enough, to oppose. But at the same time, it must come up with creative and workable solutions - so if there's not going to be a convention centre, no matter how many jobs it may or may not create, there must be alternatives provided.

And there's the problem for the opposition - they can't just rely on the Government to trip over its own feet. Sure, things aren't going swimmingly for National right now, but it will get better, because that's how politics works. And it's still polling incredibly high, and Key remains streaks ahead in the preferred PM stakes""

Hero, you come on here day in day out, week in week out, month in month out, sinse 2008 being critical of this mob....it gets bloody tedious.

Is it not possible for you to at least do a little constructive thinking and come up with some alternatives, similar situation to the above....and not those bloody tax cuts you've been raving on about sinse 2008 either.

Considering the economic situation throughout the rest of the world whereby 90 % are probably in a worse position ( my posts 2-3 weeks ago) than us we are not doing too bad.

Cheers.

Squirter
I agree New Zealand is in a better position than a lot of countries but to be fair that has more to do with the good position Labour left the country in not the way National have handled our affairs since then.

As far as the convention centre goes there are several options on the table as other providers also bid for the work. Any one of which will generate as many or few jobs as the Sky City alternative depending on whose estimate is correct.

The opposition isn't anti growth but National will try and spin the fallout that way.

What is at stake here is the reputation of New Zealand for fair and even handed procurement practices. The other bidders probably spent up to $1M each on their bids, and if that sound like a lot bear in mind that is only about 1% of the contract value.

Now if the procurement process didn't give all bidders the same information and opportunity then why would these companies want to waste money bidding for future work if the contract is going to be awarded on the basis of an unfair advantage given out to one bidder by someone in government.

These are after all the governments own rules about what should be done when requesting bids for government contracts.

If it was Cookie Pooh's company that had spent money bidding for a government contract would you be happy if the process wasn't open and honest as required by the government's own rules and your money had basically been wasted in trying to win the contract?

Cheers

Hero.

When the govt open the books on the 8th. Dec 2009 the cupboard was bare. We've had this discussion before.

If you read my post constructively you'll see I'm not talking about specifics over recent days but your continuous critical ranting over the preceeding 4 years. Ask yourself why only about 5 members get down here now with any consistancy....most of what's posted here is in the press anyway, and how about something constructive for a change then we may see more members return.

Cheers.

Squirter
We have indeed had this discussion before and as I consistently point out all governments have had to publish the Governments books on an annual basis since Lange's government discovered what Muldoon had been hiding.

As such can you stop stating that "When the govt open the books on the 8th. Dec 2009 the cupboard was bare". National knew the state of the economy before the election.

In fact we all did which was why I pointed out the risks of electing National before the election and as it happens my predictions on the size of the budget defecit have been proven correct.

Cheers

Squirter
On your second point I did read it constructively and I did offer both the alternatives to the Sky City deal and I pointed out what I object to in terms of not following the rules.

I note you choose not to answer my question about how you would feel if it had been Cookie Pooh's company money wasted in and unfair contract bid.

Cheers

Prime Minister John Key yesterday said there was no need to put talks on hold and it was "always possible" a deal with SkyCity could be signed while an inquiry continued.

His comments were echoed by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce who said the investigation would have no impact.
"We're continuing on with negotiations."
Asked if he would still sign a deal, Joyce said: "yes, certainly we don't see any reason to delay negotiations".

However, today Key was more circumspect. Key says the Government would be "cautious" about signing a deal with SkyCity to build a national convention centre while an official inquiry is carried out.

As such I congratulate John on seeing that to proceed would put tax payer money at risk.

Cheers