Latest news with #BreastCancerFoundation
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
$600 Billion In Assets, $200 Billion In Debt, $0 In Sense
The Haps It's event season with ACT holding three notable ones in the next two months. This Friday's Pink Ribbon Breakfast (raising money for the Breast Cancer Foundation) is nearly sold out. This Sunday June 1 the Party is holding a thank you to supporters who've helped its leader come from political outsider to Deputy Prime Minister (just over three-quarters sold), and the party's 2025 Rally will be held on July 13 and sales have just opened. If you enjoy Free Press, please step right up and show your support in person at these events. Debate of the Decade Altogether the Budget was best summed up by Damien Grant as 'minding the welfare state.' The last Government spent a fortune but most results got worse. Some like ACT would rather cut the spending back, but the Government is a coalition. Instead the Government is holding its spending almost flat, and looking to manage population and inflation pressures by getting more efficiency. The Budget had $1.3 billion of extra spending, less than a one per cent increase. It managed $6.2 billion dollars of new capital spending by saving $4.9 billion elsewhere. In other words the Government has started doing what everyone else has to, saving somewhere else when it wants to pay for something new. A lot of this spending has ACT's fingerprints on it. Far more on defence, we will reach 2 per cent of GDP about as fast as any military can grow. Far more on prison space, locking up the worst offenders is the best money taxpayers will ever spend. There is also more for health and education, which have been stretched. So where's the debate of the decade in all this? Interest on debt is now a major expense in its own right, at $9 billion. Interest costs more than Police and Prisons combined, or about as much as Primary, Intermediate, and Secondary schooling. That's because the debt is nearly $200 billion, and welfare is over $50 billion a year. Nearly half of that is pensions, which rise by a billion and a half each year as more people retire and live longer. Put it another way: $50 billion is nearly $10,000 per person. If you're in a family of four that is not getting $40,000 of taxpayer cash a year, you are below average. Health is up $13 billion in seven years, but results seem worse. We could go on, but the point is the Government is currently borrowing $14.7 billion a year, and its plan to borrow only $3 billion in four years' time depends on nothing going wrong for four years. What we're doing is not sustainable. The options are either: Tax more, such as the Greens' and Labour's wealth or capital gains tax Just keep borrowing and see what happens (some people genuinely think this is the answer) Spend less. This is going to be one helluva fight. If we do nothing, it is a matter of time before the left gets back in and defaults to option 1. More taxes that are really tall poppy syndrome in tax law. Your problems are caused by others' successes, the story goes, and your solution is to take their money. It will deaden our society from the inside out. Option 2 is the road to some sort of banana republic status. The problem is some would default to it through inaction, and some others think using debt is actually an enlightened idea. The problem is the spiral that goes like this: Investors lose faith in the New Zealand Government paying back its bonds, so they demand higher interest rates to buy its bonds. That makes it harder to pay. The spiral that so many South American and South East Asian countries have experienced. If you're not keen on new taxes, or the Government going broke, you're with us. The next five years of New Zealand politics will be in large part about which of the three options to choose. The Greens have set out their stall. Labour can't decide, but we predict they'll campaign on more taxes. Te Pāti Māori wouldn't understand this newsletter. The coalition hasn't seriously reduced spending. Even Grant Robertson was spending far less as a percentage of GDP (28%) than the current Government (33%). That five-point difference equates to about $23 billion more. That leaves ACT as the only party unashamedly promoting the only option left. If the Government's going to balance its budget without more taxes, it'll need to be smaller and more efficient. There's three ways we can think of to do that. One is to do the same stuff more efficiently. David Seymour halved the price of school lunches, and now they're getting 100 per cent on time delivery with better meals. The number of Ministers, portfolios and departments is too many, leaving everybody and nobody in charge of everything and nothing. It should be simplified. The number of public servants hasn't really budged, the head counts should be reduced. The Government has around 800 boards. No one person in the entire world knows what they all do. The Government could maintain its service levels with a smaller, simpler structure. Another way is to transfer less cash. We can keep paying Superannuation at 65 but Australia, the U.S., U.K., Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain are all increasing their ages. We will be left alongside France, Greece, and other places of questionable economic and fiscal management. We'll also be paying more for Superannuation than anything else except healthcare. Young people might decide they don't want to stick around and pay for it. Ditto the fact that one-in-six working-aged New Zealanders are on a benefit. Then there's ownership. The Government has $600 billion, over half a trillion dollars, in assets. Most of them deliver negligible returns, but the taxpayer pays interest on $200 billion of debt. Is that sensible? Those are the choices. More tax, more debt, or a smaller, more efficient Government that splashes less cash. How this debate resolves in the next two electoral cycles will probably decide if New Zealand is a big Singapore, or a big Samoa.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Pink Ribbon event a chance for connection
EASI NZ operations and marketing manager Ewa Wick (left) and managing director Cherilyn Walthew helped put together a Pink Ribbon Breakfast in Lake Hāwea. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A Wānaka-based recruitment company hosted a Pink Ribbon Breakfast after one woman saw the opportunity to connect people with a cause close to her heart. EASI NZ is a company focused on helping small to medium business with recruitment, HR and health and safety. Operations and marketing manager Ewa Wick was inspired by the women in her life to host the breakfast and raise breast cancer awareness. She recalled watching several family members including her mother-in-law battle breast cancer and undergo mastectomy procedures. This opened her eyes to the risks of breast cancer in the family. "I have two daughters that, basically through genetics, are going to be at a higher risk," she said. "So, it's very close to my heart, to be honest." She felt the cause should be close to the heart of all women with more awareness and education being spread, especially for young women. "I feel that the awareness actually really needs to be spread further ... when it comes to the young women being affected, it's actually pretty high." Working for a company whose aim was to connect people, Ms Wick saw the perfect opportunity to bring the community together, raise money for an important cause and further inform the public about breast cancer. In addition to breakfast and a community supported raffle, the morning also included a quiz Ms Wick had organised. She said this was a good way for people to learn about the statistics and the preventive measures that could be taken. The breakfast was held at the Lake Hawea Community Centre this morning with donations open before and after the event and all proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Foundation.
Business Times
11-05-2025
- Health
- Business Times
Breast Cancer Foundation raises more than S$600,000 for key programmes
[SINGAPORE] The Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) raised more than S$600,000 at Tee for Pink – its annual signature charity golf event and dinner – for its key programmes, which raise awareness of breast cancer and early detection services, and provide emotional support for its members. In its 11th edition this year, the event rallied nearly 150 golfers at Tanah Merah Country Club on Friday (May 9). The contributions were matched dollar for dollar by the Tote Board. Chew Gek Hiang, president of BCF, said of the funds: 'It supports our befriending services... and three breast cancer satellite centres aimed at providing the necessary support for our breast cancer community.' BCF partnered several hospitals around Singapore for its Befrienders programme, which pairs newly diagnosed patients with survivors from a similar background to provide psychosocial support. Another programme is Healing through the Arts, whereby BCF members – breast cancer patients, their caregivers and survivors – come together for various activities including pilates, sewing and painting. The programme provides social support and a therapeutic outlet for them. In 2018, BCF teamed up with Singapore Cancer Society and National Healthcare Group Diagnostics to launch the Community Mammobus Programme, which makes mammogram screenings more accessible and affordable to the public. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up On a weekly basis, members also participate in BCF's dragon boat programme. Paddling is associated with breast cancer as a form of rehabilitation and wellness. Adeline Kow, general manager of BCF, said this particular programme is important because it showcases the strength of breast cancer survivors. BCF's dragon boating team, Paddlers in the Pink, participate in international competitions and regularly undergoes rigorous and intense training. In terms of outreach, BCF works with educational institutions and community centres to give talks about breast cancer and the importance of early detection. 'We want to create awareness for early detection, because breast cancer is so treatable… In Singapore, every day, six people are diagnosed with breast cancer,' she added, noting that a lot of Singaporeans do not do self-examinations. There is also a need to act fast, because the cancer can spread fast, Kow added. She said: 'This is a disease that can happen to old and young, and now we do see it happening more to younger women. We want to make sure women look after themselves and are aware of their own bodies, so that we can treat it much earlier.' In April 2024, BCF opened its second breast cancer satellite centre in Woodlands, which 'brings essential support services even closer to our heartland communities, and is a significant step forward in improving accessibility to care and information', noted Chew. The social service agency is in the final stages of adding its third satellite centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
CNA
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Younger voters and candidates: Implications for Singapore politics
CNA938 Rewind - Younger voters and candidates: Implications for Singapore politics Singapore's fourteenth electoral race saw a greater number of Gen Zs (with those aged 21 and above eligible to vote) and millennials (aged 29 to 44), both in terms of reaching the legal voting age or running as candidates. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin discuss more with Associate Professor Eugene Tan from the SMU School of Law, who's also a former Nominated Member of Parliament. 15 mins CNA938 Rewind - Showbiz scion Calvert Tay strikes out on his own In 'Culture Club', Melanie Oliveiro speaks with singer-songwriter, entrepreneur and actor Calvert Tay, who is now celebrating the release of his latest single 'In The Next Life'. Tay will talk at length about the song, which is about the pain that comes with losing a loved one. He'll also talk about his TikTok videos that show how he typically puts a song together using audio editing software. The Mandopop star, who is also the son of veteran Singapore actors Hong Huifang and Zheng Geping, will talk about his other singles, business ventures and acting roles. Discover more Singaporean music and musicians – like Calvert Tay – at an initiative by the National Arts Council, produced by independent music media company Bandwagon. 33 mins CNA938 Rewind - Celebrate Mother's Day weekend @ Cosford Container Park In 'Destination Anywhere', Melanie Oliveiro finds out where Singaporeans can go to celebrate Mother's Day weekend on the 10th and 11th of May. At Cosford Container Park's WKND MRKT: Mother's Day Edition, families and visitors can sign up for creative workshops, indulge in sweet treats, and take pictures of real-life mermaids. Cosford Container Park's David Foon will also talk about the venue's market showcasing a variety of gifts and artisanal products from local vendors and what live music entertainment awaits everyone once the sun sets at Singapore's largest container park. 17 mins CNA938 Rewind - Keeping abreast of Breast Cancer Foundation's programmes and initiatives I n 'Made in SG', Melanie Oliveiro finds out more about BCF or the Breast Cancer Foundation: the work that they do and the various initiatives to support the breast cancer community in Singapore. BCF's general manager and breast cancer survivor Adeline Kow talks about their various programs and services, including support sessions, the Healing Through the Arts (HTTA) centre, and the Positive Image and Wig Loan programme. Breast cancer survivor Shamen Yee will talk about being a BCF volunteer and how she left private banking to launch Elly's Atas Crackers, an artisanal bakery. 32 mins
CNA
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Keeping abreast of Breast Cancer Foundation's programmes and initiatives
CNA938 Rewind Play I n 'Made in SG', Melanie Oliveiro finds out more about BCF or the Breast Cancer Foundation: the work that they do and the various initiatives to support the breast cancer community in Singapore. BCF's general manager and breast cancer survivor Adeline Kow talks about their various programs and services, including support sessions, the Healing Through the Arts (HTTA) centre, and the Positive Image and Wig Loan programme. Breast cancer survivor Shamen Yee will talk about being a BCF volunteer and how she left private banking to launch Elly's Atas Crackers, an artisanal bakery.
