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Letter to the Editor: Business Roundtable up to their old tricks?
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More right-wing nuttery…
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But who is the “NZ Initiative”?
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FROM: "f.macskasy" SUBJECT: Letters to the editor DATE: Thu, 01 May 2014 10:39:22 +1200 TO: "Sunday News" <editor@sunday-news.co.nz>.
The editor Sunday News Dr Bryce Wilkinson, recently authored a report for the so-called "NZ Initiative", calling for more unrestricted "investment" in New Zealand - specifically allowing foreign property speculators unfettered right to buy up housing. At a time of falling home ownership - 49.8% in 2013; 53.2% in 2006; 67.8% in 2001; 70.7% in 1996; and 73.8% in 1991 (Statistics NZ) - the last thing we need is for New Zealanders to be competing against well-financed, wealthy speculators from overseas. In effect, we are denying our own children the right to own their own home. So who, precisely, is "NZ Initiative" and what is their agenda? "NZ Initiative" is the Business Roundtable, rebranded, when the BRT and right-wing think tank, New Zealand Institute, merged in 2012. I guess that puts things into perspective that this is the same group of well-heeled oligarchs who would sell New Zealand to the highest bidder from Boston, Berlin, or Beijing. It is high time to put an end to this neo-liberal dogma which has benefitted a small minority, leaving the rest of us to pick up the scraps.After 30 years of "rogernomics", I think it's safe to say that the Great Experiment in neo-liberalism has been a spectacular failure. -Frank Macskasy [Address & phone number supplied]
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References
Fairfax media: NZ needs foreign money – NZ Initiative
NZ Herald: Census 2013: Property ownership keeps falling
Statistics NZ: Owner-Occupied Households
Wikipedia: NZ Initiative
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Above image acknowledgment: Francis Owen/Lurch Left Memes
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Hasnt worked out that well for Maurice now has it?
Wonder how many other Coalition MPs are helping ‘foreign investors’..or their partner’s associates?
Nice writing Frank..
#Tppanoway now more than ever!
Walk away Groser & Key is a loud message just about to get a whole lot louder
That is what the article yesterday was all about in my opinion anyway.
Shame about the timing aye?
The oligarchs have no loyalty to New Zealand .
TPP(A) is the Corporate “declaration of war” against the the free people of the Pacific rim !
The oligarchs want to bypass our world class legal system and replace it with their own quasi-legal system, one with no oversight from Government ,no right to appeal or no limits to the damages it can award to the Corporations (if our laws cut into their profits) owned by the oligarchs !
What could possibly go wrong ?
John Key has demonstrably shown his poor leadership skills over the last 5 years ,ignoring expert advice is a hallmark of the Key regime . Let’s come together and fight this outrage disingenuously called the TransPacific Partnership Agreement.
Well said, Mick and Blondewithiqsmediabytes.
It appears that the only possibility for the TPPA to be dumped will be the US Congress.
Interesting, though, isn’t it – the neo-liberal revolution of “rogernomics” and “ruthenasia” was the Big Promise to create jobs; lift wages; and increase wealth.
Well, it’s increased wealth alright – but only for the top 10%. The poor have gotten poorer and the middle classes are struggling as always.
The dropping home ownership rates in this country is a clear indicator that neo-liberalism is a failed experiment (unless you’re in the top 10% or 1%).
It’ll be interesting to see how long before Joe and Jane Average realises that it’s all been one giant con.