David Farrar: Yardley says abolish the BSA

Mike Yardley writes:

As someone who has worked in broadcasting for over 30 years — and has admittedly been the subject of several failed complaints to the BSA — I believe it has had its day. It should be abolished.

Alternatively, perhaps it should fold its tent and transfer oversight of broadcasting standards to the Media Council. This self-regulatory body is funded by its industry members.

Mike Yardley: The next raid on your wallet will be no accident

If you’ve been reeling in horror at the size of your latest council rates bill, or gasping at the ongoing hikes to your home insurance premiums, there’s another agency lining up a deeper dive into your finances.

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has grand designs on lifting its levies by double or triple the rate of inflation. Why? Supposedly it’s costing more and taking longer for injured Kiwis to recover, so ACC is consulting on fattening up its coffers.

Mike Yardley: Time to review ECan’s Ngāi Tahu-appointed councillors

Consultation has just closed on Environment Canterbury’s (ECan’s) draft long-term plan, which has copped considerable public flak for proposing an eye-watering 24% annual rates rise.

Much of the explosion in spending is entirely discretionary, with the consultation document freely trumpeting, “we have made the bold decision to do more for our environment and do it faster”.

Mike Yardley: National, ACT looking primed in 2023, but don't write off NZ First

By any measure, 2022 was a wild ride. The Year of the Tiger lived up to its zodiacal stripes as a time when resilience and strength are in the ascendancy.

Twelve months ago, after being cosseted for so long, I was staunchly in favour of opening our borders and learning to live with Covid, given the impressively high vaccine uptake and the comparatively mild variant that was sweeping the world.

Omicron’s steady march across the country was rapid but manageable – and we rolled with the punches. We have unquestionably learnt to live with this virus. It does not command the fear factor of old, largely relegated to nagging nuisance status.

Mike Yardley: Bolder changes needed to tackle 'welfarism' across age groups

Proud of his Christchurch upbringing, it was apt that the National Party leader delivered his first major speech to the party faithful in his hometown, at Te Pae Convention Centre. And what a coup for Te Pae to have its world-class hosting credentials lustily on display, via the extensive media coverage of National’s big bash.

I’m sure it wasn’t deliberate, but what is it with Sir John Key “gate-crashing” the news agenda, on the same day his political protégé is gearing up for a set-piece speech?

Sir John’s excoriation of US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan as “reckless, provocative and dangerous” will have been music to Beijing’s ears, but he also ran the risk of upstaging Luxon’s big moment.

Mike Yardley: Fluoridation shows Government lacks respect for local councils' independence

Forcing local councils into toothless submission via far-reaching national policy directives and rushed legislative change is becoming a familiar refrain.

The “takeover” of council water assets under the Three Waters reform model has been the most explosive lightening rod to date.

But the government’s increasing propensity to throw its weight around and relegate local authorities to bit-player status, while it cultivates its centralisation agenda, is unmistakeable.

The Christchurch City Council is currently grappling with a fistful of big state decrees, including the imminent prospect of being ordered to fluoridate the city’s water supply.

Mike Yardley: The lack of concern over Government spending is shameful

 

It’s full steam ahead with the spendathon. Overall, government spending next year is forecast to be over $59 billion higher than four years ago. 

Next year’s total spend of $128 billion equates to thirty five percent of the economy.  

Its staggering. 

The scale of spending is one thing. There’s also the matter of quality spending. Bang for buck and whether the desired outcomes are actually delivered. 

Mike Yardley: Three Waters has devolved into a debacle

By any measure, the Government’s sweeping Three Waters reform agenda has devolved into a debacle. Its credibility is shot. The multi-million-dollar advertising blitz, which had you believe that sludge is pouring out of your taps, has come to symbolise the shonkiness of this reform programme.

The sales job has been a sensationalist, demeaning and grossly misleading. The financial assumptions that underpin the switch to four merged entities have been widely pilloried. Most councils insist the data and figures flawed, inflated and unreliable – with the touted benefits being grossly exaggerated.