Author: Hon. Assoc. Prof. Susan St. John

After years of neglect John Key now thinks a selective land tax just might be called for to curb the tearaway housing bubble. The best that can be said is that he has opened a window of opportunity for debate.

A basic income for all as a solution to poverty traps and income insecurity is a futuristic idea about a Utopia. I hope we get there one day too but let’s be real about it. Children are dying and lives are being stunted right now.

I am becoming more worried as time goes by that we are heading for a demographic pensions disaster.

Inconveniently there is one very large elephant in the room. The Minster of Finance chooses not see it, and does not want anyone, especially academics, drawing attention to it.