Posts by Allan Moyle
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I know from experience buying existing homes in Victoria AU, Stamp Duty is payable, which acts as a bit of brake to waving too much money around at an auction. If you re going to spend $500K for example it adds another $ 22K to the bill along with auction fees etc etc. First home buyers now get an exemption (since 2011). You can calculate you own and compare with other states here, http://stampduty.calculatorsaustralia.com.au/
It got me thinking that instead of an exclusion policy as announced, that maybe an escalating Duty might be a another option for non resident purchasers, say 15% on 1st property rising to 35% for each of the 3rd and all successive purchases. Could have both the desired price cooling effect and provide some more Govt income. -
NZ starting to look like that other pacific island nation with a belligerent leadership, cast aside democratic processes and decreasing free speech/freedom of assembly.
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Major electoral law changes should all take effect effect one term distant to (if only slightly) minimise the incentive for self-interest to trump principle.
Have to ask why don't they do this - make the changes but apply them from 2017 onward - it is not as if there is a shortage of time in the current parliamentary term to put this onto the legislative agenda. Further it would allow time for existing and potential new parties to put in place the strategies and tactics to work with the change - esp. the 4% threshold, a tantalisingly achievable target.
The cynic in me says that National understand they lack any coherent base of right leaning support parties both for now and in the near future. Colin Craig is to much of a loose cannon, and while the rotting corpse of ACT must have reached nose holding status by now, its all they have. Both NZ First and Maori Party over next couple of election cycles will probably need to deal with and survive leadership changes meaning their respective policy stances and support is unknown.
This situation looks a bit like a gerrymander by other means. -
If Mark Ford left the country we might actually get some things done...
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Skin
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After the Rain
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note that the new Ladi6 track is also on Soundcloud here
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Hard News: The Wogistan form book, in reply to Rich of Observationz,
some considered the Waihopai Three to be terrorists. White men with beards, yes; angry, they never looked it.
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Hard News: You down with TPP?, in reply to Gabor Toth,
Reading that piece from Rod makes me think of John Key and Tim Groser as the trade agreement equivalent of "Dumb and Dumber"
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One thing that has been seriously overlooked in the TPP discussions is that this will be a deal – if it comes to pass – with the US Federal Govt. State Legislatures in US will not be bound by many of its requirements and can continue to offer disproportionate incentives and subsidies for industries and companies to come to their state to set up business. It is hard to swallow the current NZ Govt line of more jobs and incomes for NZ when these actions will be allowed to continue.
