In his exit interview on TVNZ’s Q+A programme, former Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s suggested that New Zealand can and should sustain higher government debt levels than the current 30% of GDP target.
Robertson’s proposal is concerning. It disregards the fact that on his watch, while the permissible debt level was technically lifted to 30%, changes in debt calculation methods masked an even higher increase. This shift in goalposts has obscured the true extent of the increase in government debt now considered acceptable.
Given the sorry state of public finances, fiscal consolidation is essential. The Government must cut spending to reduce deficits and start lowering debt levels. Beyond that, New Zealand must also determine a prudent long-term debt target.
The previous government’s changes were unwise. New Zealand should aim for much lower public debt levels than most other countries.
New Zealand’s many vulnerabilities necessitate such fiscal discipline. As a small nation prone to costly natural disasters, maintaining a lower debt burden is crucial for resilience. The relatively high cost of disasters as a percentage of GDP underscores the need for adequate fiscal buffers.
Moreover, New Zealand’s small population, its deeply negative net international investment position (see Bryce Wilkinson’s article below) and persistent current account deficits make it more susceptible to external shocks.
Higher debt levels could also increase the perceived riskiness of investing in New Zealand, leading to higher borrowing costs and reduced access to affordable financing.
To reassure international investors about the long-term sustainability of public finances, New Zealand should lower its long-term debt ceiling to pre-change levels – or even lower, considering the previous government’s changes to the accounting method.
As Grant Robertson exits politics, it is galling to be lectured by him about an alleged need for even more debt. His legacy of profligate spending and the increased public debt he leaves behind is something New Zealand must now address.
The country needs to cut government spending and reduce debt to lower levels as a buffer against future shocks … and maybe also to protect against future governments opening the spending taps as widely as Robertson did.
New Zealand’s fiscal future depends on making prudent decisions today. To navigate our fiscal holes responsibly, the new Government should not be digging deeper, but chart a course towards long-term sustainability and resilience by reducing both expenditure and debt.
Roger Partridge is chairman and a co-founder of The New Zealand Initiative and is a senior member of its research team. He led law firm Bell Gully as executive chairman from 2007 to 2014. This article was first published HERE
Given the sorry state of public finances, fiscal consolidation is essential. The Government must cut spending to reduce deficits and start lowering debt levels. Beyond that, New Zealand must also determine a prudent long-term debt target.
The previous government’s changes were unwise. New Zealand should aim for much lower public debt levels than most other countries.
New Zealand’s many vulnerabilities necessitate such fiscal discipline. As a small nation prone to costly natural disasters, maintaining a lower debt burden is crucial for resilience. The relatively high cost of disasters as a percentage of GDP underscores the need for adequate fiscal buffers.
Moreover, New Zealand’s small population, its deeply negative net international investment position (see Bryce Wilkinson’s article below) and persistent current account deficits make it more susceptible to external shocks.
Higher debt levels could also increase the perceived riskiness of investing in New Zealand, leading to higher borrowing costs and reduced access to affordable financing.
To reassure international investors about the long-term sustainability of public finances, New Zealand should lower its long-term debt ceiling to pre-change levels – or even lower, considering the previous government’s changes to the accounting method.
As Grant Robertson exits politics, it is galling to be lectured by him about an alleged need for even more debt. His legacy of profligate spending and the increased public debt he leaves behind is something New Zealand must now address.
The country needs to cut government spending and reduce debt to lower levels as a buffer against future shocks … and maybe also to protect against future governments opening the spending taps as widely as Robertson did.
New Zealand’s fiscal future depends on making prudent decisions today. To navigate our fiscal holes responsibly, the new Government should not be digging deeper, but chart a course towards long-term sustainability and resilience by reducing both expenditure and debt.
Roger Partridge is chairman and a co-founder of The New Zealand Initiative and is a senior member of its research team. He led law firm Bell Gully as executive chairman from 2007 to 2014. This article was first published HERE
3 comments:
Well said Roger. Two fat cat targets, ripe for the picking, has to be the Reserve bank and NIWA. Both specialise in incompetence wasting tax payer money.
Ever notice how it's just a two party rinse and repeat. One step forward then two steps back, repeat process. The thing is we are still being led backwards little by little by little.
'Galling' is a mild word for the anger we feel as the profligate ex-minister deserts his party colleagues and skips off, smirking and gurning, to an overpaid sinecure far from Wellington. I sincerely hope the relevant minister holds the VC's feet to the fire when he comes seeking to further increase Otago University's debt at taxpayer expense.
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