Andrew Little’s 61-60 win in Parliament a victory for all NZers

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Andrew Little’s amazing victory in Parliament is a reminder of how fragile National’s hold on power really is under MMP.

It shows what working together can achieve so that the poorest members of NZ society can have their views represented.

National’s counter that this healthy homes legislation might force landlords to buy heat pumps is a farce when you consider the hundreds of thousands of untaxed capital gain these houses have chalked up.

National’s spitefulness in voting against it highlights just how idealogical this Government really are and how focused their defence of the rich truly is.

27 COMMENTS

  1. I think there is a kind of perverse strategy in National’s stance here.
    I will venture that most of the people who will benefit from this bill are Maori, Polynesian, beneficiaries and other lower income people.
    By opposing the bill National stands to lose very few votes from these groups because it doesn’t get many in the first place.
    On the other hand National reckons that it might gain a few votes from the bene-bashing brigade and those who froth at the mouth at any mention of the state helping the less fortunate, or even the government actually acting like a government.
    Also expect National to pull out the tired old right-wing hoary dogma about “nanny state” and socialism being a front for communism.
    National are as predictable as they are corrupt.

    • A lot of the things the Nats have done and are doing has been “nanny state” and its not been for benefit of people either. Key’s government is all about control and punish, while they rip this country off blind.

  2. Passing the First Reading is good, but I worry about Dunne, he may switch or withhold in the end, and all may end up in a stalemate or return to the status quo.

    Such a Bill is more than overdue, as New Zealand is light years behind many other developed countries, where they even require landlords to provide heating so a minimum temperature can be ensured at all times.

    Having lived in enough New Zealand homes that are like an ice box in winter, I welcome this Bill and Labour’s initiative.

    Nats show their true colours again, they want to allow landlords to carry on in irresponsible manner, as they are used to, charging often exorbitant rents here in Auckland, and not even bothering fixing things when they break down.

    What needs addressing also is the trend to have term tenancies for only a year, or so, as that forces tenants to move again and again, as towards the end of such contracts landlords like to increase the rent again.

    • Dunne is aware that key and National are on their way out and is trying to stay relevant in fear of losing his snout in the trough status next year, hence his recent fake concern about NZ’s reputation being outed as a tax haven. Back in 2012 Dunne rigorously defended John key’s “legitimate tax avoidance” so he can’t get away with that one.

      I wouldnt trust Dunne. That crim needs to go, along with his other crims key and National, who will no doubt do all that it can to have Andrew Little’s Bill dumped for their supporter/donor base.

  3. ” National’s spitefulness in voting against it highlights just how ideological this Government really are and how focused their defense of the rich truly is ”.

    ………………………………………………………………………………………..

    Yes indeed they are ideologically bound. However the point was raised in some quarters that its a fat lot of good if the renters on low wages have to choose between eating and the monthly power bill… which logically leads on to the next issue :

    Power generation and distribution.

    We see now how privatizing our state owned assets has a direct knock on affect further on downstream adversely affecting large swathes of our low wage population. Bill English isn’t worried though … hes quite proud that our low wage economy encourages foreign investment.

    The Double Dipper from Dipton is rapturous with the fact that privatizing our basic necessities enriches him and his offshore mates due to little competition for the same services. To him its a level playing field , – to more honest commentators its called a monopoly and price gouging.

    And where did all that hard earned tax dollar of the NZ public’s go?… well we cant say for sure but maybe the 10th May Panama Papers release just might shed some light on that issue , maybe not.

    However , all that said , it is indeed a victory of sorts for Little.

    I would suggest that following hot on the heels of that Bill passing into legislation ( if it does ) , a report on the affordability of power for the general public needs to be conducted – and using the lowest paid sectors as the yardstick with which to measure it by. And if it is found to be seriously cost – inhibitive the next logical question is to ask why?

    And if it is then found to be because of ruthless , unaccounted for price gouging that deliberately has not taken into account the local economic conditions for large numbers of the NZ public on low wages , then those responsible for enabling those conditions need to have the spotlight turned on them and their financial dealings.

    Following this , if it is found that there are discrepancies , further inquiry into the pecuniary gains by the same then need to conducted.

    And in that manner , the circle would be completed.

    THEN … we could ALL claim a victory.

  4. here here what a spiteful bunch they are add to the mix they are also greedy, nasty and divisive

    • Are you sure you are not referring to the left wing nutters who comment on this blog every night

      • It’s quite clear M.gray is referring to National, and what’s it to you if people comment on this site every night? What’s your problem? Truth hurts?

      • You seem troubled by the comments here. Do the “left wing nutters” bother you that much, really, Truth Hurts?

  5. double edged sword. Rents will go up if this goes through. I dont know the answer, well perhaps i do, we need to make home ownership more affordable, perhaps go back to the good old days with state advances loans or similar?

    • It needs united action by renters to refuse to pay rent increases, landlords should have to meet a standard for rental houses so that will reduce the amount they will pay for property so will give first home buyers a chance to compete. Property prices are not set in stone & when the economic situation continues to decline property prices will fall.

  6. I don’t think they are ideologically driven as that suggests some element of principals. This government is the feral offspring of past ideological governments under Labour and National over the past 35 years.

  7. There is a market ceiling for rents in any particular area so adding to rents is not a situation that is likely. Landlords will tend to raise rents until the limit is reached anyway.

    Some collusion amongst landlords is already evident with similar amounts being asked quite “coincidentally” along with increases.

    Of course NACT is not concerned by this in spite have blatant and damaging it is for many families health as food stuffs and essentials cannot be met after rent.

    • Landlords dont need to add to rents, a lot of the people queueing up for rentals go away dissapointed because the rent asked is not the rent landlords recieve .
      So desperate is the situation people are offering up to double the rent to secure the place.
      The game is the landlord tell everyone who replies to adverts that they will be advised in a few days,then waits for someone to offer the highest rent, its an auction!

  8. Here here Martyn. Good comments also, although adding state advances will add fuel to the fire. We need to have less restrictions on development areas and also less compliance cost from council.
    Shit I’m sounding a bit ACT. Sorry.

  9. It’s appalling that the Nats are so petty that they’ll vote against warm, healthy, homes. It’s even more surprising this isn’t making front pages headlines in our daily papers!!

  10. If those landlords haven’t provided both ceiling and under-floor insulation at the very least, then those same ‘poorest NZers’ won’t be using heat pumps.

    It will be like nightstore heaters all over again. Little white elephants, because the power companies can hear the ka-ching every time the meter passes a kilowatt hour.

    Insulation. Double glazing. And secure ventilation for people who usually aren’t home during the day to mop up the water on the window sills (often worse with aluminium window joinery), or can’t risk leaving the bathroom window cracked enough for aeration because there are, so often, little fingers to fiddle the fastener and enter for a lucrative nosy round.

    Those insulation upgrades are far more important than dollar gobblers such as heat pumps.

  11. If landlords can’t afford to keep their properties to a safe standard, they shouldn’t be in business. And yes, it IS a business. They sure as hell ain’t doing it out of the goodness of their hearts!!

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