Getting real about rail in Wellington

I've just come into Wellington by rail on a $2 special- that's about the true value of rail travel in Wellington, anything above it is a rip-off by GW Regional Council and Toll Rail ! The train was late (as usual) the staff were surly, the trackside was filthy and we arrived at a barren windswept station full of smokers who obstructed our escape to the fresh windy air of Wellington's streets.

Contrast this with the journey I had in Hong Kong several weeks ago - for a normal fare of HK30 ($6NZ) I got a day's pass for the whole of Kowloon right through the New Territories including bus links. The stations were immaculate, clean, brightly lit, with automatic ticketing (due in Wellington 2020 earliest according to trans metro). There were no guards on the train and some were totally electronic (driverless). The tracks were litter free and the staff helpful (how many of Toll's staff could speak Cantonese or Mandarin ??) it was apleasure to travel on them.

We are a 3rd world nation rapidly becoming 4th world in our rail travel- that's because we have politicans with no Vision and no sense of a future reality.

Inlet Power for the People

On a bleak cold day with hail, rain and even distant snow on the Rimutakas, one is grateful for gas fired heating and electric lights to keep one warm and able to work, recreate and think about life.

How much longer though will we have these luxuries we take for granted across New Zealand ? There is lots of "hot air" from Parliament about the need to build new infrastructure but few people there who really comprehend how it is that either SOEs or Commercial energy companies actually go about planning for and considering major new capital investments. Having had that role for many years in the oil refining industry I know it is complex but ultimately based on the risk adjusted rate of return on capital. For assets with 50+ years of life taking a punt on what the market conditions are 30-50 years away is quite daunting but it must be done with some certainty to assure shareholders it is the right way to go. No one can have that certainty in New Zealand because of the splintered structure of our electrical supply industry and the foreign ownership of most oil and gas companies.

So what could we do to get more localised production and distribution ? Out here on the inlet we have major water movements most of the day through a narrow channel- I'd like to put a reverse action turbine there and generate power for the Paremata peninsula. If we formed a Community Electrical Company and sold power at no cost to our shareholders we would appear not to infringe current regulations, though no doubt this greedy Government would soon find a way of taxing us for our ingenuity! Supplement this by a grid of small 10kW turbines on our roofs and some high efficiency solar panels we may well be self sufficient within 10 years.

Ah but the other trouble will be RMA and the dreaded PCC whose plans no doubt prohibit self sufficiency- well the answer to that is we shall form an independent state (with Maori) on the inlet and declare ourselves free of all local legislation. Its similar to Pirate Radio's approach of 30 years ago and look how that has bloomed since.

So who's coming to join me ?

Misty future for inlet viewers

Its a foggy, rainy Autumn day as I peruse the Inlet, in fact I can barely see the edge on my side it's that bad- and this reflects what I am feeling about where we are going as a nation. 9 months into the 4th Labour led Government there's not much that is being properly led if one is honest about it:

• There is still no published national vision for New Zealand
• There is no sign of Helen Clark grooming or permitting a viable successor to emerge, Heaven forbid we endure her for as long as UK has had Tony Blair !
• There is a complete lack of Leadership over on the blue side of the House
• The Parliamentary terrier (ACT) is noticeable by its absence with both MPs dancing around issues, one on the TV stage and the other in the bush !
• Winston's been quietened and
• Peter Dunne has got horribly bogged down in the red tape of Taxation reform

So who will arise and come on to our NZ stage to lead us out of the mist ? There are some great young people I have met recently with incredible passion and values but most of them see the brighter lights of Europe or Asia calling them, at least for a time.

Can we really make a difference this Christmas ?

Through our doors at this Christmas time come a flood of appeals for dog shelters, downtown ministries feeding the hungry, rescue helicopters, Pakistani earthquake aid etc. Yet this does not appear to divert the majority of our population rushing into the stores to buy things that our bodies, our minds and our souls (yes we all have one) don't really need. We will wrap these in glitter and tinsel and stick them under our plastic Christmas treee with 200 combination flashing lights and call it a meaningful celebration. But hang on a minute - out there in the streets of wellington or on the other side of the Inlet there are stray puppies not wanted, men and women poking around in rubbish bins and still victims of tsunamis and earthquakes who have nothing to be festive about.

So could we possibly act differently this year ? Is there a conscience within us that says that we have a fast decaying society that needs to turn around, be more compassionate and caring, sharing what we have with those who have little or nothing other than the rough clothes they wear every day ? Who is going to lead this change - it is not the role of the Government, many churches are doing their bit, some schools help from time to time, and there are countless not for profits whose whole reason is to meet particular needs who do a great job.

No it is You and I who have to change. Our worldview needs refocussing to see beyond materialism to where this all leads us - a world depleted of aroha and love, a world depleted of its finite natural resources, a world where many are just spectators instead of being involved.

The RadicalCentre of politics is where political action on social justice is rooted- join us in the fight and feel better about doing something for our fragile world and its occupants.

Happy Christmas from NZFuturist !

10 weeks later- where is the shouting ?

It is 10 weeks past the election here in NZ and one wonders if all the political commentators have taken a holiday already. The only person still generating news is our tennis playing friend from down South ( don't think he really played the game) and the suit clad gentleman from Tauranga who is once again determined to spend his Ministerial salary on fighting a court case ! The so called "Opposition" do not appear to have got their claws into anything and have little policy options to put on the table.

So how did UF come out of the fray of September 17 - with only 3 MPs but with 15 major policies agreed to be developed and/or put in place during the term of this Government. Not bad really and a lot more clout than the lads in blue have (are there any lassies ?). So now it is heads down to turn these into something solid.

Also there is now the chance to claw some reason back into civil society- the first time comes this Wednesday with Gordon Copeland picking up Larry Baldock's Marriage Amendment (Gender Clarification) Bill in an attempt to get it to the Select Committee stage. Let us hope that we can put some pegs in the ground and stop the slide into a socially engineered jungle that will make King Kong's island look tame! On top of Manukau City's Prostitution Local Bill that should make 7December an interesting day in the House (or as a recently transplanted Invernessian pastor would call it - the Hoose!)

Why should you give your vote to a United Future’s electorate candidate over another Christian?

In this last Parliament the United Future caucus has been predominantly populated by Christians, (all the caucus are happily married people with families), which has been working under the guidance of a highly experienced and wise politician – Hon Peter Dunne, who has been a Minister in both a Labour led and a National led government. This wisdom is necessary to guide aspiring politicians through the quagmire and protocol of NZ MMP politics. Peter is the most highly respected Parliamentarian in the House. It is a barrier to entry for any new party like Destiny that is extremely difficult to overcome.

Any electorate candidate under the United Future banner will therefore enter into a caucus that knows how to be effective, is fully staffed by highly experienced political researchers, press agents and support staff, and will have the mentoring and guidance of a politically astute Board (mostly Christians), as well as the mentoring of one of the best electorate MPs in the country.

In Mana, there is an almost certain situation, according to current polls, where both Winne Laban (Labour) and Chris Finlayson (National) will be elected because they are high on their party lists. Therefore they do not need an electorate vote! Robin Gunston of United Future is passionate about representing the local community and decided to let the voters of Mana decide whether to elect him as their electorate MP by opting not to go on the United Future party list. By voting for him, Mana could have 3 MPs of differing parties representing this electorate. What an opportunity!

For a more independent informed choice VOTE Robin Gunston and United Future for Mana

Tax ! Tax ! Tax !

Tax cuts
United Future is the only party offering tax cuts for every taxpayer, for every family, for all companies, every business, all superannuitants, every property owner and every charitable and not-for-profit organisation in New Zealand!







1. Every taxpayer
We will do this by
· Making the first $3,000 of earned income tax free. This will yield savings of up to $11 per week for every taxpayer. This will be better for teenagers, students and all of the other 1.1 million taxpayers (many part time) who earn under $17,000, than National’s offer. Labour offers nothing until 2008 and then only a few cents per week!.
· Adjusting the 33 cent and 39 tax brackets by $5,000.
(a) This will give a saving of between $11 and $24 per week to the 1.1 million taxpayers earning between $17,000 and $43,000. This is pretty much in line with National. Labour offers nothing until 2008 and then only about $1 to $5 per week.
(b) For the 682,000 taxpayers with incomes above $43,000 our package will yield savings of between $24 and $30 per week. This is less than National but income splitting for couples with children (see below) may still see many families better off with United Future. Labour are offering between $5 and $10 per week but not until 2008.

2. For every family
United Future will retain the Working for Families package as announced in the 2004 Budget including, unlike National, the extra $10 per week per child in 2007, as a floor for all affected families. None will be worse off. However by lowering tax the delivery mechanism will change so that the “top up” from government will be less. This creates better outcomes for families when their income increases. In addition we will provide income splitting for couples with dependant children. Between 350,000 and 400,000 couples (700,000 to 800,000 taxpayers) will benefit and, taken together with the other personal tax cuts, would see a couple-led family with children at the average gross household income level of $82,400 paying less tax by up to $163 per week! Neither Labour nor National offers income splitting.

3. For all superannuitants
All superannuitants will benefit from the removal of tax on the first $3,000 earned each year since this will affect the amount of NZ super. In addition we will alter the annual adjustment formula so that, instead of being on average 9 months behind changes in the cost of living and the average weekly wage, it will take into account the forecast movement in those indices. Taken together these changes will increase the after tax amounts of superannuation as follows:
Married couple - $21.34 per week or $1,110 per annum
Single living alone: $13.88 per week of $722 per annum.
Singles sharing with others - $12.80 per week or $666 per annum.

In all cases this is a 5.4%increase on current entitlements. Labour is offering no increase in NZ Super. National is offering an increase of $320 per annum for a married couple.


4. For every property owner
GST will not be added to rates. On a rate demand of say $1,350 per annum this will save $168.75 in GST. Labour and National will retain GST on rates.

5. For every business
We will do this in a number of ways.
· By lowering the company tax rate from 33% to 30% over the next three years.
· By a conditional tax free holiday for new businesses.
· By a commission payment of 1% of the net value of GST paid by registered persons up to $200,000 GST per year.
· By reviewing the tax treatment for research and development to incentivise private sector expenditure of 1.5% of GDP p.a.

Labour is offering none of the foregoing. National will also cut the company tax rate to 30% but not until 2008.

6. For every charitable and not-for-profit organisation
United Future will increase the tax rebate on donations by individuals to charities tenfold, from $630 per annum to $6,300 per annum and for companies from 5% to 50% of net profit. Labour and National are offering nothing.


Is the United Future tax reduction package affordable?

The answer is “yes”. The total income lost to government, when fully implemented, will be $2.5 billion per annum, phased in about $1 billion in 2006 and a further $750 million in each of 2007 and 2008. All up tax reductions of $5.25 billion over the three year period. This compares with National’s offer of $9.6 billion over the same period.

After allowing for these tax cuts, and without reducing expenditure on health, education, superannuation, police etc, the government’s surplus over the three year period will still be at least $8.5 billion and perhaps more.

Our tax cuts are prudent, and affordable.

http://www.unitedfuture.org.nz/
Gordon Copeland Finance spokesman 26 August 2005