Bryce Edwards asked if there will be an actual radical reform under this new Government.
He’s collected together the same bullshit mainstream media pundits and journalists who all called the election wrong and has added a few jaded lefties who seem to think unless the Government legislates against binary gender norms then the whole adventure will be a terrible failure.
Apparently Wellington left wing bloggers who have burnt their bridges with every NGO or union forming their own consultancy is a thing now.
Knowing the thinking and tactics of those who actually negotiated this Government, I would argue that this is going to be far more radical than anyone is guessing.
The beauty of it all comes down to NZ First’s hatred of neoliberalism vs Labour Party Mandarins who slavishly worship the Free Market but who had no place to manoeuvre once the deal was cut.
I personally find it an enormous irony that the same narrow temple acolytes on the identity politics Left who screamed that Winston was a racist and gnashed their teeth over Willie Jackson and Greg O’Connor have those interests to thank for the change of Government and radical policy about to avalanche through Parliament.
With the looming global correction, Labour Party Mandarins have no choice but to accept a far more interventionist Government and the new generation of truly talented MPs won’t be held to the same unspoken rules that force Labour to hold to its neoliberal acquiescence.
The first hundred days is just a start, it won’t be revolution but it sure as hell will be a rapid evolution and those who put this Government together in the background understood the transformative possibility this all could bring about.
This is going to be a very Kiwi rebellion, a laid back insurrection over a BBQ if you will.
And eff the neoliberal experiment. Get rid of it in whatever manner needed.
It will, in my humble view, only be ‘revolutionary’ in the sense, that it will be a government that will steer away from the kind of policy priorities the Nats had set, and how they ran the country.
Of course it will be an improvement, but signals that both NZ First and Labour want to grow the economy and exports, this tells me, that while some controls will be put onto what the banks can do, what kind of investment will be allowed here, we will get a slightly moderated version of capitalism, based on policy that will ‘serve New Zealand’.
By the way, did not Metiria Turei call Winston a ‘racist’ also, before the was taken down by the MSM and others?
James Shaw wants to bring in a new way of doing business also, the Greens were also reaching out to business, under James, while of course still maintaining better social justice and more needing to be done for the environment.
Who is going to plant the billion trees over the years? Will the Ministry of Forestry, or what it will be called, hire its own planting and pruning work force, or will this be a PPP arrangement, work done with business, or will the work be offered per tender, for big or not so big business to do?
Who will build the ten thousand homes a year, will it be the Ministry of Housing, hiring thousands of workers, or will it not rather be existing companies and developers, going into a PPP with the government?
I remember Phil Twyford’s kind words about Ockham Holdings as examplary developer in Auckland. Maybe they will give Fletcher Residential a bit of help, by letting them apply for work to be done, for the government?
The extra skilled manpower needed, also in the regions, will only in small numbers be made up of local workers, many of them would still need extra training. The rest are likely to be new immigrants, who will build the rapid rail, the other rail networks, the houses, the apartment blocks near transport nodes (potentially ghettos of the future), who will perhaps also plant many of the trees.
Few of the mostly urban work force would be keen to work in such jobs, and especially not be keen on working in the regions.
The whole scenario needs to unfold, and we need more details, to be able to make any sufficiently informed judgment on what can and will be done.
But in raising the minimum wage, in bringing in better workers’ rights, in investing in the regions, in improving health, education and overhauling welfare and so, yes, that will be ‘revolutionary’ when compared to the disaster the Nats have left us behind.
Marc
We have two outstanding issues. One is a housing shortage, the others unemployment. It’s very strange to suggest that immigration is the solution to either of them.
I hope you’r right Martyn.
D J S
“It’s very strange to suggest that immigration IS the solution to either of them.”
It isn’t, David. It isn’t…
Unless, of course, one happens to be a neo-lib boss…
When I was growing up in Huia , Auckland , I remember workers camps semi / permanent housing set up for family’s and single men and women when they were building the Huia lower dam. Similar arrangements were done elsewhere with large public works up and down the country.
We did it once , we can do it again.
And though large firms will hold the main contracts , thousands of other smaller businesses will be needed and workers employed. The spin offs could be dynamic for the local / domestic economy. But I would add, – for all things initiated by the govt to remain in the govt’s hands – and thus the public’s property , – NEVER to be sold off to private interests.
And for that to happen , – legislation passed to outlaw insider trading and conflicts of interests with public officials in attempting to sell off state assets to private concerns.
The sixth Labour ( led ) government must act soon to reign in the current fourth estate that is not , has not , will not act in the interests of NZ or democracy.
They are the neo liberals enforcement agency and have already started undermining the government before it was sworn in with the same quote over and over again …..the second largest party has formed the government and other non factual nonsense.
They will keep coming back to the idea that this government did not win outright and that they are illegitimate.
They will keep repeating it for the next three years.
The slightest hint of disagreement , disharmony or difference of opinion will be reported as unstable and fractured to the public.
Just tonight TV ONE news reported the fracar between Jackson and Harawira showing Jackson and Adern standing together at government house a very clever attempt to discredit Jackson and Adern.
The enemy”s of this administration are John Key’s people who believe that only National should be governing this country.
This country’s fourth estate is in no way sympathetic to the left or Winston Peters or the Greens and will give them none of the respect they lavished on Key right from the start even when he committed the most appalling misdemeanors.
Adern and her colleagues are only pretenders and must be got rid of by any means necessary.
Change must come to this most vital component to our democracy.
Restructuring broadcasting is really important. Radio and TV
We need to support this government in their endeavours, as money talks
Supporters of the coalition need to facebook, email, tweet and use all forms to spread the truth.
Don’t click on Herald or Stuff. Don’t buy the rags. Ignore the bitter right.
You are on to it. Couldn’t agree with you more Mosa.
100% Patricia,
We need to begin another 1950’s style emargo of all forms of media that have strong neo-liberal bias NOW, Martyn who can set this up as a spearhead campaign?
Can we begin with something on a webnsite like “action station”?
http://www.actionstation.org.nz/
Im all for that too Patricia and Cleangreen, hey did you see the new governments emphasis on rail?
I agree. It is already doing more than I could ever have imagined possible a month ago.
yes, this Labour led govt is moving very fast, unlike its predecessors
Well put Martyn, couldn’t agree with you more. I have no doubts that what you say is correct. This new government is different and its not just the words spoken, or the look, its the feel about it, I suspect there’s been a massive amount of work behind the scenes that very few know about and unlike its predecessors, it will carve a new path and its going to be the kind of change that this country and people desperately need. I think history is going to be made here.
Fingers crossed I sure Hope So
With you there Geoff.
I believe Andrew Little put them to work in year 2 of his leadership to formulate policy direction. Year 1 they held discussions around the country to find out what was wanted and needed and got into the future of work and the like looking at automation and how it would affect our society. So Little, who is very good at this type of thing, put together the blueprint and Ardern is the face which has launched it. It may have been accidental but it’s been a brilliant move.
Yes you are on to it Sarah, but how “accidental” was that brilliant never been done before move really? makes one wonder at how much was by design.
Very nice post , Bomber , … all govt’s make mistakes , they are only human. The difference is if its done deliberately to conceal an agenda. Like Roger Douglas and Ruth Richardson did. However , this govt is historic , – because it involves one of the most ugly periods of NZ history being overthrown.
Peacefully , artfully.
And I will sing my praises for Winston Peters and his NZ First party , firstly because I always understood the party to be one of secure , balanced nationalism. Not radicalism , not based on dismantling a nation for an agenda and to personally enrich oneself at the expense of the many.
I’ve always like Peters and NZ First. And they may be conservative. I don’t care,- as a matter of fact,- I quite like conservative in many areas and this is one of them. Almost every thing in their policy’s I agree with , – almost. In some I would be more radical , however ie : long prison terms for the original cast of neo liberal actors who enabled it , – and that includes some members still living of the New Zealand Initiative aka the old Business Roundtable.
I consider the acts of those who deceitfully pushed neo liberalism on NZ and acted covertly to undermine our way of life and destabilize our democracy treasonous.
And I’ve always understood Peters/ NZ First’s difficulty’s working with neo liberal govt’s because he and they are patently NOT. This is why the media, certain business / employers sectors ( read : large corporate , multinationals etc ) have always been hostile to NZ First and Peters.
They have a lot to be afraid of for the way they have manipulated this country.
NZ First believe in social democracy with a strong Keynesian interventionist economy , NZ style. The old NZ of egalitarianism and the welfare state , of state assets etc , of equity in wages . That’s the NZ I grew up in and that’s the NZ I knew that was prosperous , generous , laid back , and good natured.
And I want it back.
Yet , because the Greens took a hit I party voted Green to help ensure they crossed the line. I was going to do the same for Labour until Adern took leadership. Andrew Little is a decent man. I cannot understand how people cannot see that but there we go.That’s people for you. He reminds me a lot of the Bill Rowling type . Decent, not brash , quiet sense of humour , dependable. A good sort.
There are many facets and elements and policy’s in both Labour and the Greens I like as well. New Zealand needs their vital input. I’m proud I party voted Green . Labour , Greens and NZ First was the dream govt for me , and I had a strong hunch for most part that was what we were going to get.
And I’m glad those who use identity politics to justify their impotence and inertia by using fake ’causes’ to deny any meaningful change were given their marching orders as well. To me ,… they are just as callously guilty as the front persons for neo liberalism. They are the enablers and the fifth columnmist element acting for the perpetuation of neo liberalism.
Traitors and deceivers.
All of them , – the fake identity politics crowd, the neo liberals , – are getting the old heave ho and being told to get out. And one of the biggest king hits will be when Peters gets stuck into the Reserve Bank / Treasury. That’s when the feathers will really start flying. That’s when we will see a key neo liberal bastion knocked out.
Of course they will fight back, – they have waged a bloodless war (although how many people have died because of health cuts , suffered years of pain on waiting lists, how many have died in work related accidents ie : Pike River ) for 33 years to entrench their poverty system in NZ.
Well now its over.
Its taken 33 years for neo liberal ideology to be initiated then progressively and strategically embedded ,- so we shouldn’t expect in 3 years for this govt to be able to change all that overnight. But this is where it all starts. Right here, right now.
I especially love the way you put this change , Mr Bradbury. You have captured the New Zealand way in spades. The NZ I grew up in and felt secure in :
…………………………………
… ” This is going to be a very Kiwi rebellion, a laid back insurrection over a BBQ if you will ” …
………………………………..
Perfect.
That’s us . The New Zealanders.
This is who we really are.
And no one had any right to ever think they should have a reason to try to change or interfere with that great way of life.
And for a good explanation of just how evil neo liberalism actually is , its odious origins and the viscous effects it has had on New Zealand , read this :
New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html
Well said Katipo
I’ve always thought of ‘neo liberalism’ as a cul-de-sac into which we were lured by sharp edged legislation wielding crooks who then robbed us blind who are now thinking they’ve gotten away with it. As the old, slow boat that we Kiwis are seems to have reached the apex of that cul-de-sac and seem to be turning about we’ll have to steam all the way back out again. Past thirty lost years, past huge numbers living in poverty, past victims of neo liberalism now in prisons or graveyards, past shiny banks, past foreigners living in our houses while our own live in gutters and past those same crooks now frantically thumbing through their book of tricks to see if there are any new ones left to run us aground.
I’ll trust winston peters when he holds roger douglas’s severed head up high while giving off a throaty roar!
It’s all very well to offer up curative alternatives to being hounded, taken advantage of and dehumanised over those years but I want to see blood! I want inquiries, I want charges, I want them to be imprisoned to share beds with their victims.
The very first thing that needs to be implemented, in my view, is an advertising free ( There fore incorruptible ) Tv channel/s to bring clarity to the last thirty years of tangled nightmares for those who’ve no fucking idea what’s been going on.
Thank you.
Yes agree with much that you say. I note there will be changes to the Reserve Bank.
^ Countryboy when he’s feeling positive ^ 🙂
+1, of course.
[…] I’ve made this point recently, which is that the mainstream media and corporate punditry of NZ still have no real clue just to how radical this Government intends to be on reforming capitalism. […]
[…] I have said it once, I’ll say it again – pundits still don’t understand how radical this Government intends to be. […]
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