Tuesday, 19 September 2023 14:44

Cut the politics

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: With the election looming, both Labour and National have proposed huge cuts from public sector spending.

Milking It is all in favour of these cuts, given the blow out in spending for what looks like a poorer result all round. But, it has been noted – by communications and government relations consultant Gwynn Compton – that the ‘neutral’ Council of Trade Unions (CTU) and the Public Service Association (PSA), whose priority should be workers’ rights, have been very selective in their criticism of said cuts, depending on which party had proposed them.

For example, the PSA “thundered with outrage” at National’s cuts, but in response to Labour’s, said public servants “must help identify savings”. Does this partisan approach by the unions really serve their members?

More like this

Picking winners?

OPINION: Every time politicians come up with an investment scheme where they're going to have a crack at 'picking winners' with our money, the Hound cringes.

Dreams aren't plans

OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery finally roars to life.

If voters see some growth and wages rising faster than prices, the government could say they've "fixed" things as they ride into the next election.

Back here on Earth though, the economy they inherited is a basket case, and the long-term headwinds are fierce.

Political commentator Liam Hehir says, "dreams are not plans" and if the turnaround doesn't come in time, National may have no choice but to go negative.

"Everybody wants to fight on the economy if they can. But when neither side has a compelling story, the contest shifts to other issues. That's not new. In fact, it's the stuff of politics everywhere, always."

Trop de Paris!

OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly relating to how they're treating their farmer base.

Gaslight much?

OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts started after their disastrous Covid response; now trying to undermine the Covid inquiry to protect his own backside.

Labour warns against sacrificing productive farmland for housing expansion

Labour's agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton says while New Zealand needs more housing, sacrificing our best farmland to get there is not the answer.

Featured

Massey University Wiltshire trial draws growing farmer interest

Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.

Applications Open for 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards

Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.

Ravensdown partners with Footrot Flats to celebrate Kiwi farming heritage

Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.

Forest & Bird launches 2025–2026 Summer Adventure Challenges for all ages

Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.

Rural health programme inspires new optometry graduate

Grace Su, a recent optometry graduate from the University of Auckland, is moving to Tauranga to start work in a practice where she worked while participating in the university's Rural Health Interprofessional Programme (RHIP).