Graham Stairmand – 10/9/99
What are electors voting for? On polling day together with the casting of votes for both the electorate candidate and the party of choice there will be at least two referendum
questions to be answered, one on the size of Parliament and the other on
penalties for violent crime. At this stage there are only two referendum
questions, but the Prime Minster has floated the idea that there might be a
question on a change in voting procedure including of course the possibility of returning to First Past the Post. While the general public
has to present some 250,000 signatures for a referendum, the government can
apparently just decide to have a referendum at will.
Impact of MMP There is no doubt that the MMP Parliament – particularly in the function of
Select Committees which have been allowed to function with freedom and integrity – has limited the excesses of the far right elements in the present Government. For this reason alone, leaving out altogether the benefits of gender and ethnic balance, MMP must be given more time before
judgment is passed upon its success or failure. The Cabinet and the Ministerial system still prevail in that they do not have to accept either
select committee recommendations or Parliamentary censure.
Push towards the far right slowed by MMP It is interesting , and should be salutary to the disciples of far right
beliefs , to observe how opinion on "market rules and privatisation agendas"
are changing in many countries. Sectional interests such as Treasury and the
Business Roundtable are trying to push us even further along this discredited path. It could be that we owe MMP more than we yet realise, for
having slowed down our headlong rush to disaster.
Party defectors The shame of MMP is the defectors from the parties that provide their entry
to Parliament. There can be little doubt that a great majority of New Zealanders of virtually every shade of political opinion agree that MPs –
whether electorate or list – should resign from Parliament if they wish to
change parties after election.
A government of expedient self interest The present government is seen as one of expedient self interest supported
both by individuals of similar characteristics who have defected from the
parties who achieved their election and two parties ACT and United whose
aims are served by supporting the government.
Likely parties in the next Parliament The general perception is there will be five parties that will have a presence in the next Parliament and their politics are considered to be as
follows: National : Centre (Right to further Right) Labour : Centre (Left to further Left) Alliance : Left (Left to far Left) New Zealand First : Centrist (Right & Left) ACT (Far Right)
Can we differentiate between Labour and National’s policy implementation? While it is important for the parties to define their general direction , if
the years from 1984 to 1999 are considered, it is difficult to differentiate between the two main parties, Labour and National, as far as
general implementation of policy was concerned.
Performances to 1999 Labour Party performance In Govt 1984 – 1990 * introduced surcharge for superannuation * sacked area health boards * shut down 29 hospitals * reduced the number of Post Offices * created the new schools policy * sold the Post and Telegraph department and the railways. In general it implemented a series of policies of the far right ideology
which were never presented at the hustings and still carries in the minds
of some electors this cross of betrayal.
National Party performance In Govt 1990 -1999 * increased surcharge for superannuitants after promised abolition. Mr Bolger used the phrase about the certainty of abolition,”no ifs-no-buts-no-maybes.” It was abolished only after pressure from NZ First
in Coalition Government. * created four separate health systems in New Zealand refusing public election of Board members of Crown Entities – all being appointed by Government or Government agencies * promotes an increase in a publicly funded private hospital system * continues Asset and Income stripping of those in long term institutional care
* continues to sell off assets like BNZ , public forests , and latterly has
forced our electricity assets into private hands. * unprecedented waste of tax moneys on weird ideas such as the Beehive shift or resulting from the incompetence of ministers. Examples are the failed Incis computer system for the Police, the problems
with proposed reforms for the Fire Service, the very public disputes over
the Tourism Board and the involvement of the Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley,
the extravagant expenditure of Winz (Work and IncomeNew Zealand) which is
supposed to look after the country’s most disadvantaged citizens, and in
all these debacles large sums spent on the multiplicity of consultants.
New Zealand First performance In Govt 1996-1998 Apart from the drama in settling which of the major parties to support the
performance appeared largely positive when in Coalition. Their achievements included * a public Cardio-thoracic unit for Christchurch * free medical treatment for children under six * removal of the Surtax on superannuation * a discarded bill for relaxation of Asset and Income provisions. On the negative side a political fragmentation largely on personal and ethnic lines which, while reflecting no credit on the individuals, has undoubtedly harmed the party image.
ACT and United performance
In Govt support 1998 – 1999 Since the collapse of the Coalition government have supported the government on supply but have differed in some areas. We have yet to become
aware of the price of this support but there could well be electorate deals
to ensure the return of at
least the leaders of these parties.
Alliance performance In opposition providing a watchdog role but ineffective in any legislation
due to numbers, but has generally supported other opposition parties. Major criticism and competent analysis of health policies may have prevented further privatisation.
Policies and promises beyond 1999 National * no intention to burden future generations with unmanageable superannuation debt, the concept of which is mainly supported by the figures they choose to use * a sustainable super policy * better health services for all New Zealanders, but the only specific details relate to flu injections for elderly, continued reliance on the
booking system for elective surgery and continued public funding of private
hospitals through the HFA. * continued targeted assistance with the Housing Accommodation Supplement.
– which is of benefit to the landlord rather than the tenant * no policy changes with respect to UN Human Rights Charter. (It is assumed
that the various aspects of the charter found inconvenient will continue
to be rejected and National would continue to seek government exemptions
by legislation) * continued support of crime prevention, early intervention and community
policing * continuation of a five year strategy to improve children’s education to
ensure every child has the 3 Rs (reading, writing and ‘rithmetic) by age nine, with better teacher and student performance *focus on information technology standards and emphasis on technology skills of teachers and continued bulk funding for schools * no changes to Asset Stripping indicated but has tinkered with threshold
levels * roading reforms put on the back burner * proposed tax cuts for the middle wage earner but nothing for those earning up to $9500.
Labour * formulation of well established health policies which allow for public
election
to health boards * support of a more liberal approach to Superannuation to restore initially
the threshold of 65% of the average wage * law and order policy involving an increase in police numbers * proposed tax increase for high wage earners * specific pledges on the publicity credit card * creation of jobs through promoting New Zealand industries * focus on patients not profit, and cutting of waiting times for surgery * cutting the costs to students of tertiary education, starting with fairer
loans scheme * reversal of the 1999 cuts to superannuation rates * crackdown on burglary and youth crime * no increased income tax for those earning under $60,000 nor raising of
company tax or GST
Alliance * requirement for detailed and honest costing to enhance credibility * free health services to all and all to be within an hour’s drive from
hospital * state rentals not greater than 25% and encouragement for Council housing
projects * removal of asset and income testing for long term aged care * recognition of needs of victims * removal of the student loans scheme *removal of all age discrimination from legislation
New Zealand First * positive statements about Superannuation and health – the only party to
mention Mental Health specifically * interesting and wide ranging statements on education but policies slow
in being disseminated * access for all to a high quality public health system * new housing in shortage areas and reduction in rentals * continued commitment to their policy for income testing for aged care * the causes of crime to be tackled * human rights to be applied to the government as well as others.
ACT At present attempting to be the self-appointed conscience of Parliament
but promoting virtual abolition of Government at national and local level with the sale of all public utilities. ACT states its prime intention
to preserve personal freedoms but its policies are essentially the survival
of the fittest. * promotion of a better mix of private and public health care and services * abolition of state housing * cost of aged care to be the responsibility of the individual * promotion of “zero tolerance ” police policy * in education introduction of a government supplied voucher system for
education so that parents can choose a school for their children * in human rights believes one law for all New Zealanders
Comments In 1993 , as a vote catching exercise National promised to abolish the Surtax but increased it instead and became a party that cannot be trusted.
They took over
from the Labour party that was dumped by the voters for the very same reason.
They seem unconcerned that the gap between rich and poor is widening faster in New Zealand than in other developed countries.
The outcome of ‘The Wine Box’ enquiry , limited by the terms of reference set by
this government, seems to have left a great many questions unanswered as also
in the case of the earlier Bank of New Zealand problems which they attribute to
Labour. Both situations cost the country many millions of dollars without
penalising or even exposing those responsible.
Just who is to blame is a matter of opinion, but if your main interest is in
your standard of living, the cost and quality of your children’s education
and continuing health care in a public system, then your choice should be
simple.
Whether your expectations will be met only the future can tell.
