Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Team Little: pretty good

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  • Sacha, in reply to Deborah,

    Bill English did have a stint at Treasury

    which he still hasn't gotten over, ideologically.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Matthew Poole,

    Potentially he was forestalling a clash with Little, who was the winner-presumptive, over Parker’s hard-developed tax policies with which Little appears to have little sympathy.

    That's what I meant, basically.

    Little winning certainly does not give me much hope that we will have a CGT and other sensible taxation changes within the span of the next decade.

    No. And that really concerns me. Although I have some hope, as I said, that Robertson will be inclined to defend the policy core.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Sacha,

    Bill English did have a stint at Treasury

    which he still hasn't gotten over, ideologically.

    He was taught John Milton by the best. Shows a humanities education only goes so far.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Ron Davis,

    The "use by" date of Little's first lineup is a master stroke. A year is time enough for rewards to outlive their geneses, and punishments to outlive their purposes. Thus, should Huata's effectiveness in the House match her history, she can be quietly relegated, and Parker can be promoted without too much rancour, as well as the undoubtedly effective Jacinda. King will gracefully stand aside for Robertson and there we have it: as good a chance as Labour is likely to get two years later to take the treasury benches.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2014 • 25 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Although I have some hope, as I said, that Robertson will be inclined to defend the policy core.

    It's going to be genuinely interesting to see if Robertson grows into the role, and becomes less cautious. He finally has a role that is not all about strategising, but has actual political content.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Ron Davis,

    Thus, should Huata's effectiveness in the House match her history, she can be quietly relegated

    Way to be snide whilst completely failing to name the person correctly.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Ron Davis,

    Thus, should Huata’s effectiveness in the House

    Mahuta.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    One other thing: I'm not sure what Louisa Wall has done wrong. She seemed to deserve a ranking.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Hope she gets in in a year, yes.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Matthew Poole,

    Little winning certainly does not give me much hope that we will have a CGT and other sensible taxation changes within the span of the next decade.

    Yet he gave Finance to Robertson, who clearly supported CGT and raising Super for starters. Methinks Little is well aware of public opinion on all sides.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Ron Davis, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Robertson committed himself unequivocally to the policy core while on the leadership hustings. I also picked up that Little and Parker had become buddies during the same period of shared transport and overnight lodgings, and have a date to go skiing together next season. Little also allowed that his views on CGT and super entitlement were his at this point, seeming to hint that the majority view would always be adhered to. There's a lot of water to go under those particular bridges before the party hardens up on its next policy platform.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2014 • 25 posts Report

  • Keir Leslie,

    If you think about it, Little has only ranked the top 12, plus five who’re likely to be moving on at the next election if not sooner. I suspect Wall, Whaitiri, Williams, Faafoi, Curran Salesa will all have good odds of moving up next time there’s a reshuffle and some of the more senior MPs move on.

    [Wall has a reputation for not being the easiest to work with. I have no idea if this is true or not, but it may be a factor at a time when Little is trying to smooth troubled waters.]

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report

  • Ron Davis, in reply to Russell Brown,

    OMG. Yes, of course. Apologies to both.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2014 • 25 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    I think Grant for Finance is a clever move. No policy gets approved without the tick from Finance so it is a very powerful position. Treasury is staffed by many bright, often young, Wellingtonians and they do some interesting work such as this latest request for information about vulnerable children. http://www.treasury.govt.nz/budget/socialinvestment

    So I think they will also appreciate someone like Grant who has such an intellectual grasp of social policy and ideas for innovative change to challenge them with.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Ron Davis, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    I've posted an apology for misnaming Mahuta in response to RB. "Snide" needs explaining. Do you know of significant House performances by Mahuta that've passed me by maybe?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2014 • 25 posts Report

  • Steve Curtis, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    Last finance minister to have had a specific qualification and actual experience in accounting was Roger Douglas and look how that turned out.

    It gets better.... or umm something, Don Brash was for a while opposition spokesman on Finance. he had a PhD ( Economics) AND was governor of the Reserve Bank previously.
    Goes to show, he knew everything and knew nothing.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 314 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Ron Davis,

    Do you know of significant House performances by Mahuta that've passed me by maybe?

    Assuming she will under-perform in her portfolio seems about as unwarranted as the assumption that Ardern will shine - she was absolutely awful on social development and had to be taken off Paula Bennett duties. But yes, I think if you have to make such assumptions it pays to name the person correctly or it comes across as doubly dismissive.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Keir Leslie,

    Mahuta does have an 18 year track record to look back on - I'm expecting a competent but non-flashy execution, which is well above replacement spox for the Labour Party at the moment - remember, the last guy to have this portfolio was Shane Jones...

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    Mahuta does have an 18 year track record to look back on

    Can you name some prominent examples of her achievements for those of us who they must have completely passed by?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    Mahuta does have an 18 year track record to look back on –

    God, she must be soo old , like those Rolling Stones or somefing. Guess they'll be kicking her to the curb soon too eh ;)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Sacha,

    Can you name some prominent examples of her achievements for those of us who they must have completely passed by?

    That game is not going to be fun to play if one runs through the current caucus, let's face it.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Jim Cathcart,

    Little winning certainly does not give me much hope that we will have a CGT and other sensible taxation changes within the span of the next decade.

    Well of course. You cannot alienate a whole generation of voters and expect to get a foothold in the corridors of power. Furthermore, 60%+ of household wealth is tied up in existing housing stock.

    Since Nov 2006 • 228 posts Report

  • Keir Leslie,

    Gio is only to accurate. (As I say, Mahuta is well above replacement value.)

    And it’s a bit shitty to apply predominantly white, male standards of politics as a way of attacking a Maori woman who is taking on a portfolio that’s about connecting and supporting Maori development. I don’t really care if she’s an effective operator in the House – although she is competent – her job, like most MPs, is elsewhere.

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    I for one welcome examples of her achievements outside the house and in Te Ao Maori. Have simply not heard of any.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    I know of one thing Louisa Wall managed, for instance.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

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