Budget 2025: Govt spending needs to fund communities, not corporate greed
A better world is possible and we make no apology for trying to build it.
When we launched our Green Budget, we knew there would be people out there, like our CEO Prime Minister, who would rather sling insults and half-baked hot takes than engage in the substance.
We must
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Scoop
13 hours ago
- Scoop
Govt Gets It Wrong With Cancelled Ferries
The cost of cancelling the iRex ferries shows the wastefulness and short-term thinking of the Coalition Government. 'We could have had new ferries by next year and millions of dollars left over to spend on critical infrastructure if it weren't for this irresponsible Government,' says the Green Party's spokesperson for Transport, Julie Anne Genter. 'This decision to cancel the contract for new ferries has cost us $671 million. This is a missed opportunity and a massive mark against this Government's credibility. 'For context, that amount of money could have funded the electrification of the main rail line from Waikanae to Palmerston North, or built thousands of much-needed homes. 'New Zealanders should have been taking those new ferries this and next year - instead we've had the Aratere taken out of commission, and more trucks on the road as a result of retiring our only rail-enabled ferry. 'The Hyundai order for two new rail-enabled ferries for $550m was one of the best deals the country ever signed up to. This Coalition Government tore it up and will likely be forced into signing a deal that leaves us worse off in the short and long term. 'The Government must stop cutting corners and commit to funding a transport network that works for people and planet,' says Julie Anne Genter.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Letters: Run it straight competitor naively believes they were safe; Green Party's outlandish behaviour
Olosoni says he's not sure if he'll compete in the next event that's to be held in the coming months. I'd suggest he'd be wise to quit while he's ahead. He's won a lot of money, he's been concussed once, and should that happen again he could end up with a brain injury. Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth. 'Outlandish behaviour' If anyone thinks that the Green Party leaders are standing up for the poor and dispossessed, such as the Palestine citizens, they are deluding themselves. We have seen time and again that this party is only interested in outlandish behaviour, which has nothing to do with standing up for the less fortunate members of our society. The recent Green Party budget, which would, if introduced, remove large sums of money from those of us who have worked hard all our lives and give it to many who have no intention of ever getting a proper job or improving themselves, speaks volumes. The only part of the Green Party that shows their true intentions is the politics of envy for those who have had to educate and work hard for what they now have in society. Bruce Woodley, Birkenhead. Public sector pay 'nonsense' The Government's reasoning that public sector board and chair pay must be in line with the private sector is utter nonsense. The private sector pays for performance and achievements measured against rigorously designed KPIs. We have a long-standing history in New Zealand of underachieving, overspending public sector boards. New Zealand is a small country with a relatively large and complex administrative structure funded by struggling taxpayers. We cannot afford underperformance and unaccountability. Sadhana Reddy, Lynfield. TV interview tactic Regular watchers of TV news will have noticed that whenever TVNZ 1 interviews Chris Hipkins, they do so indoors. Presumably this is to prevent him from being struck by lightning after he has said something? Phil Chitty, Albany. Battling Mother Nature Every night on the news we see that the world is engulfed in forest fires that are obviously pumping huge amounts of poison into the atmosphere. Surely this will contribute to global warming and seriously negate any emissions savings that we are trying to achieve? Add to this all the poisonous gases from the many volcanic eruptions and it would appear Mother Nature is working against us and winning. Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki. Regional councils should go Recent comment by the Government to cap rates increases and to get rid of the regional councils is the best move before the next general election. Why should the ratepayers pay two rates, where we pay for councillors and the work is duplicated? Same as District Health Boards, regional councils should go. When the rates are going up, rents are going up; we also need an experienced mayor to control the expenditure and run the city. Mano Manoharan, Hamilton. Shops raise suspicion On the topic of organised crime, has anyone else noticed shops, mostly beauty parlours and barber shops, that get fitted out and then never or rarely open their doors? I can think of several such 'businesses'. I strongly suspect these shops are being used to launder money. Shane McDowall, Rotorua. Keep the faith The Warriors' character-building win over the Dragons restored the faith of their fans and provided credibility for their run to the finals. Full credit to a team that has in the past so often failed to show the required level of determination and professionalism. This indeed ... 'could be our year'. Larry Mitchell, Rothesay Bay.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Opinion: it's clear they don't care about us
A strong Ōtepoti crowd recently turned out to hear Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick break down the Green Budget. Their engagement during our nationwide roadshow was clear. We heard, as we have across the motu, that the general election can't come soon enough. We heard it's time for the sun to set on this one-term government. We heard a clamouring for a government that puts people at the heart of decision-making. A government that delivers for everyone. A Green-led government. Whether their core concern is a robust, future-proof health system that works for all, warm cosy homes, or a restored Southerner passenger rail service between Invercargill and Christchurch, southern people are ready for action from a government that cares for the South. Because one thing is now abundantly clear about this coalition Government — they don't care about us. The Government's attack on Otago Polytechnic, the increasing homelessness, the delay, cost blowout and broken promises around our new Dunedin hospital, the rising cost-of-living crisis, the gutting of our research and science sector, the University funding cuts, and most recently Sam Uffindell MP posting falsehoods about the cost of the iconic seesaw in George St ... it adds up to an absolute disregard for our community here in Ōtepoti Dunedin. On the other hand, I'm so incredibly proud of the way people mobilise when this Government tries to gaslight us. We are a well-educated city, and region, and we care about our special place. That much was clear when we saw the mobilisation of 35,000 people on the streets for the new Dunedin hospital a year ago, and in the protests whenever the Government comes to town. Many people have been writing submissions to oppose legislation for fast-track projects that will destroy one of our iconic wine growing regions, and cause a toxic legacy for future generations to clean up. In contrast, the Green Party policies we have announced since December, 2024, put people back at the heart of political decision-making. Our Emissions Reduction Plan, He Ara Anamata, charts a path to cut emissions, restore biodiversity, and support communities — like through green infrastructure for South Dunedin. Our Green Industrial Strategy will scale up Jobs for Nature to boost environmental projects like the Halo Project. Our Green Budget addresses the challenges of climate change and wealth inequality together. And our Green Fiscal Strategy shows how we can choose economic rules that support the wellbeing of people and the planet. The future of our city and region is in our hands. Together, we have the power to change things. Together, we can invest in a future where our children and grandchildren can thrive. It's simply our choice.
