] VIDEO: John Key in the House, Budget 2007 response - Rt Hon John Key
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18 May 2007
VIDEO: John Key in the House, Budget 2007 response

17 May. John Key on the floor of the House responding to the Government's Budget 2007 presentation.

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#1 - Tom May said:
2007-05-18 20:19 - (Reply)

Hello John, Brilliant reply in house, yes you have the x factor. I like how you target, the men, and take it easy on the Women, that will be a factor that will help us into the head seat next year. One of the best speeches i've heard. PS Our homepage is still being worked on.

#2 - Steven Mowat said:
2007-05-19 11:05 - (Reply)

Dear john, Why are you bleating about the budget when your own is no better than the socialists. Both parties are prepared to allow over 60 billion in foreign profits to leave this country every year - wealth that we desperatlely need - for free education for example. Our living standards are dropping because because we work for foreign overseers now. Please fix it and get my vote. Cheers. Steven Mowat

#2.1 - John Budge 2007-05-20 13:11 - (Reply)

This is a budget that well suits what would often be seen as Nationals natural consistuency, being people that have worked hard, and want to save for their future. Labour have put a scheme into place that will serve this group very well. John Key had the political (and probably economic) nous to not condemn the scheme, but attribute it to NZ first. He also stated that it would not be cancelled under a future National Government. Labour have somehow managed to introduce policy that will suit a part of Nationals constituency, but without capturing their vote, a win for National.

#3 - Andrew Atkin 2007-05-19 17:11 - (Reply)

I think you got it most right when you said (a while back) that Labour had got itself into a political rut. They just can't do what needs to be done without upsetting the unions, or looking as though they're taking orders from the National party. Labour has no real answers for NZ. Ultimately I think we're going to need to see some serious balls with policy relating to economic growth - NZ absolutely cannot afford to pussyfoot anymore. In my opinion, the true health of our economy is getting quite serious.

#3.1 - Nathan McCluskey 2007-05-21 09:33 - (Reply)

I'm interested to know how Andrew measures the 'true' health of our economy. This is an incredibly subjective area. Economic health can be measured in a number of ways. John Keys mentioned some of these in his speech such as productivity and surpluses, ironically these were counter-intuitive. The reality is (and here's where I agree with Andrew) Labour is doing too little to tackle the real problem with our economy, a problem perpetuated by the last National government. This is the repatriation of funds overseas as a result of massive foreign investment in NZ infrastructure and essentials. This means that we can focus on productivity until we're blue in the mouth, but unless we own our production, it's all hot air. If National were really believable, former National cabinet ministers would not be terminating their membership in the Party in disgust.

#3.1.1 - Andrew Atkin 2007-05-23 11:28 - (Reply)

Nathan, I don't think economic health is overly subjective - it ultimately boils down to how much we earn per-capita, from both our investments and wages, minus debt-servicing of course. Take away our debt-fueled spending-binge (creating the image that NZ is richer than it really is) and you would see, I believe, that our economy is not too crash-hot. The *sustainable* money in people's pockets says it all. The most concerning thing is that our wealth/productivity base is not improving and if anything degrading with our over-rated dollar, and nor does our situation seem to be set to improve. So the forecasts are bad, as well as our real earnings. If we don't get our A into G with real productivity-growth soon, then the Kiwi exodus could get truly out of control - making a catch-up incredibly difficult. That, I think, is the biggest concern and why we need some bold action from government. "Cruising it" just isn't an option. The longer we pussyfoot the harder a catch-up will be.

#4 - Peter Burns 2007-05-21 06:38 - (Reply)

A brilliant speech John, as you showed up a government that lacks any credibility and accountability. You exposed a lacklustre meaningless budget from a government that has again failed in its obligation to its bewildered constituents. It is appalling that 700 people a week (including my two tradesmen sons) are leaving our shores to settle on Australia, so they can start their families and afford their first home. We are rapidly going down the plughole and it is a sad indictment that Labour promised to set new standards of openness, transparency and honesty, however the reality is - standards have never been so low. Your highly entertaining speech showed how Cullen could be pretty dumb sometimes, however for real bona fide stupidity, there ain’t nothin’ that can equal Labour teamwork.

#5 - Richard Hurst 2007-05-21 19:44 - (Reply)

Kiwi saver should be renamed 'kiwi slaver". The lowest earners won't be able to afford to take part, yet becuase employers will have to contribute to it for other workers who can afford it, it will make future payrises difficult. With no personal tax cut this makes the scheme even worse. It is stealing from the poor to pay the rich. M.J Savage will be spinning in his grave.

#6 - Ksenija 2007-05-21 21:28 - (Reply)

It is very interesting how the media is mesmerised by Cullen’s radical move to compulsory savings. I would be mesmerised too if I, my fellow workers, and business weren’t being over taxed in the first instance. We work so hard to get ahead and all they do is redistribute our money. What would be truly radical is introducing compulsory savings while also introducing competitively slashed tax rates across the board. John’s speech was very inspirational. He truly cares about our future.

#7 - Oliver 2007-05-22 02:44 - (Reply)

Imagine walking through the park and seeing and coming across a rugby game just kicking off for the second half. Imagine you know nothing about the background of the teams or what happened in the first half. Imagine that one team (in blue jerseys) is moving quickly with visible energy, confidence, straight backs and plenty of communication. Imagine that the other team (in red jerseys) is dragging their feet, moving slowly to the scrum after the whistle, always last to the breakdown, has hunched shoulders and can only find energy to winge at the ref. Now which of those teams do you think will be on top at fulltime. That is the impression I got from comparing your speech and the National Party's reaction to Helen's speech and the level of support that she seemed to be getting from her party.

#8 - paul dunning 2007-05-28 00:43 - (Reply)

From what you have said, if I understand this properly *1..* Little (excuse the pun) or no wage increase *2..* no tax cut *3..* 4% of your gross pay is about 6% of your take home pay pay which they think we have spare at the moment to lose from our take home pay *4..* prices keep rising of all the things we buy/need - inflation *5..* so as time goes on, under labours plan we are worse off than we are now. *6..* do they (Labour) think we are stupid ???? I will be voting National because at last someone sees the problems that Labour are causing and wants to do something about it.


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