Willis fails a taxing app-titude test but govt supporters will cheer moves on Te Pukenga and the Human Rights Commission
The Minister of Defence has returned from Noumea to announce New Zealand will host next year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting and (wearing another ministerial hat) to condemn malicious cyber activity conducted by the Russian Government.
A bigger cheer from people who voted for the Luxon government is likely to be generated by news that the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga is under way.
The government’s official website also brings news that Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is headed for Dubai to attend COP28, the 28th annual UN climate summit.
More modest travel plans were announced on the website: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Cyclone Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown to meet leaders of cyclone and flood-affected regions in the Hawke’s Bay.
But some bad news is missing. Bad news, at least, for National voters.
Point of Order can find no mention on the government’s official website of its scrapping of a National election promise to scrap the so-called “app tax”.
The Nats had promised to reverse the change that would have slapped GST on accommodation and transportation providers on platforms like Uber and Airbnb.
The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the National Party to front up to consumers who will face 15% higher prices for some services from the likes of Uber, Airbnb and food delivery apps after their app tax U-turn.
Putting a coalition government together seems to have resulted in the abandonment of this policy.
According to 1News:
Finance Minister Nicola Willis was questioned about the reversal at her Government’s second post-Cabinet media conference this afternoon.
She said adjustments had to be made as National was now part of a coalition government with other parties.
“Obviously, we campaigned on a tax package that had other sources of revenue, and we now have a coalition government. We need to make adjustments.”
A visit to the “finance” portfolio page on the government’s official website drew a blank: not one statement has been posted by Willis or any of her gaggle of three associate ministers.
But good news has gone unmentioned on the government’s official website, too.
Mainstream media have picked up on it, however, and we hear from Newshub that ..
More modest travel plans were announced on the website: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Cyclone Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown to meet leaders of cyclone and flood-affected regions in the Hawke’s Bay.
But some bad news is missing. Bad news, at least, for National voters.
Point of Order can find no mention on the government’s official website of its scrapping of a National election promise to scrap the so-called “app tax”.
The Nats had promised to reverse the change that would have slapped GST on accommodation and transportation providers on platforms like Uber and Airbnb.
The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the National Party to front up to consumers who will face 15% higher prices for some services from the likes of Uber, Airbnb and food delivery apps after their app tax U-turn.
Putting a coalition government together seems to have resulted in the abandonment of this policy.
According to 1News:
Finance Minister Nicola Willis was questioned about the reversal at her Government’s second post-Cabinet media conference this afternoon.
She said adjustments had to be made as National was now part of a coalition government with other parties.
“Obviously, we campaigned on a tax package that had other sources of revenue, and we now have a coalition government. We need to make adjustments.”
A visit to the “finance” portfolio page on the government’s official website drew a blank: not one statement has been posted by Willis or any of her gaggle of three associate ministers.
But good news has gone unmentioned on the government’s official website, too.
Mainstream media have picked up on it, however, and we hear from Newshub that ..
Paul Goldsmith won’t reappoint Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has confirmed he won’t be re-appointing Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt – so the hunt is on for a new one.
Hunt’s warrant for the role ends in January and Goldsmith confirmed on Friday morning that he wouldn’t be re-appointing him to continue in the role past then.
It comes after Goldsmith on Thursday refused to express confidence in Hunt and told Newshub that he would be making changes to the Human Rights Commission “in terms of the personnel”.
Goldsmith said on Friday the Government would be looking for a new Human Rights Commissioner as well as someone to fill the Race Relations Commissioner role, which he said was vacant following the resignation of Meng Foon earlier this year.
Here’s what ministers (or their staffers) have posted …
Latest from the Beehive
8 DECEMBER 2023
New Zealand has joined the UK and other partners in condemning malicious cyber activity conducted by the Russian Government, Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau Judith Collins
7 DECEMBER 2023
The Government has begun the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga as part of its 100-day plan, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds says.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will be leaving for Dubai today to attend COP28, the 28th annual UN climate summit, this week.
Defence Minister Judith Collins yesterday announced New Zealand will host next year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM).
In her statement about Te Pūkenga, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says she has met with the chair and chief Executive of Te Pūkenga to advise them of what she intends.
She also issued a new letter of expectation to the council this week.
“The council of Te Pūkenga has been asked to cease any activities that are inconsistent with disestablishment. This includes recruitment and staff restructuring activity, and other actions that will make it difficult to re-establish former ITPs as institutions.
“The management of Te Pūkenga will be expected to focus on ensuring students, employers and staff are well supported through this next phase. Students will be able to continue their courses as normal.
Simmonds has asked her officials for advice on the programme of work required to support the Government’s new agenda, including the legislative timeline.
“Key parts of that advice will include ensuring financial stability now, and in the future, and restoring regional decision making for local institutions to ensure they can better respond to the education needs of their communities.
“I will also be asking for advice on what other changes to the vocational sector might be needed to support and complement the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga.”
In his statement about his jet-setting to Dubai, Simon Watts says he will
- Push “for accelerated action”towards the goals of the Paris Agreement,
- Deliver New Zealand’s national statement, and
- Connect with partner countries, private sector leaders and climate technology innovators “to listen, learn and collaborate”.
“We recognise both the challenges and opportunities the transition to a low-carbon, renewable energy-based economy presents for our own, and the world’s, future.
“Our Government is committed to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy production and therefore becoming a lower-emissions economy.
“Our objectives at COP28 are to support our domestic transition to more renewable energy, push for effective global action and support the Pacific’s transition and resilience.”
Reconciling this lofty rhetoric with some items on the government’s policy agenda may well prove challenging.
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
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