Robin Loomes
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 12
UnitedFUTURE's decision to support a National-led Government is both courageous and farsighted.
The governing coalition of the last nine years has not been all that successful in creating a wealth-generating economy. Productivity growth rates remain disappointingly low, catchy slogans such as 'knowledge economy” have been quietly forgotten, and important industries such as the light manufacturing sector have been devastated by high interest and exchange rates.
The Clarke/Cullen government deserves credit for lifting families out of poverty through initiatives such as 'Working For Families', but there is an Achille's Heel. The failure to substantially increase the economy's wealth generating capacity means that, in a few short years, those same low-income families will probably be back where they were before 'Working For Families' was introduced.
Put another way, maintaining the standard of living and quality of life of NZ families in the coming years will be a considerable challenge. It will be made more difficult by the budget deficits projected for the next few years and our changing demographics as the baby-boomer generation starts retiring. To make matters worse, many experts are predicting huge increases in the price of oil over the next decade.
Clearly, our country needs achange of direction. John Key's National party might very well provide the leadership this country needs in order to overcome the challeges it faces. Certainly, Peter Dunne made some very encouraging comments in his press release stating that the two parties have a shared understanding in areas “such as infrastructure development through the use of public-private partnerships; greater use of private health facilities to reduce patient waiting lists, especially for the elderly; continuing tax reform; and law and order”. These areas all require urgent attention.
However, a problem I have noticed with some National party politicians (actually, some labour party politicians seem to be just as bad) over the years is that they behave as if they had no life experience outside of university and politics. I can think of two examples dating back to the reforms of the 1990s.
The first example involves the benefit cuts of the early 1990s. People plan their lives according to the rules and system of entitlements that are established by successive governments over many years. To have changed the welfare system so dramatically and so suddenly at that time caused unnecessary hardship for many people. Reforms, no matter how badly needed they might be, are unlikely to succeeed when implemented with such a cavalier approach to people's lives.
The health reforms implemented by, I believe, Simon Upton constitute the second example. Security is one of the top priorities of all NZers, especially those with dependent relatives. The word 'hospital' has been around for generations and, for many, is synonymous with the word 'security'. To have replaced the word 'hospital' with 'Crown Health Enterprise' or its abbreviated form, 'CHE', revealed a disconnect with the mindset of ordinary NZers. Governments must retain the confidence of the people they serve when they start making important changes to their lives.
UnitedFUTURE will have an important role to play in the coalition government it forms with National in two weeks time. A junior coalition partner that stands for sound economic management and a strengthening of traditional family values can do a lot to promote the good governance this country so badly needs at this time.
