More Porkies

Marie from Waikanae

Nicola Willis claimed on Morning Report today that government departmental spending had increased by 64% under Labour. Noticeably, she doesn't give any details such as dates, but one would have to challenge this figure given the reasonably steady current account deficit as a percentage of GDP figures. (see earlier post). If this figure is correct, it would be good to see the dates involved and the actual figure she is talking about. e.g. current account? Or is this similar to the winter energy payment; a yeah-nah policy statement that is going to be cut one week and not the next, dependent on whether anyone notices.
Ayesha Verrall sure noticed Shane Reti's attempt to minimize the Pandemic this morning when he maintained that it had little impact on surgical wait times. He stood corrected on that, by firstly Minister Verall and then a medical specialist working in the surgical field. Well done to Radio NZ for fielding this misinformation. National seems to think that Labour should have been able to carry on business as usual through a Pandemic when in reality the health system was under enormous stress, along with many other sectors.
ACT's David Seymour has also been engaging in a little subterfuge. Hes now stating ACT may agree to a confidence only coalition deal, which would require a line by line approval of any policy. What this actually means, according to Andrew Geddes, is that ACT then controls the whole of government processes. Nothing can go ahead without the approval of ACT. Given their right wing stance on many issues, this is most alarming. Nicola Willis maintains the best way around this conundrum is to vote National. So, is National cutting ACT loose?
We think the wheels are beginning to fall off this potential coalition. They are poles apart on policy matters. National can't govern without ACT, and ACT wont work with Winston Peters, which National probably also needs to form a government.

Then there's the strange psychological transference that seems to be happening with Christopher Luxon this week. Having accused Labour of acting like a parent, he's now running around acting like a child. Its not impressive and lacks the gravitas one expects from someone aspiring to be PM. It will take a bit more than scoffing ice cream, riding bikes, making smoothies and dressing up as a pirate to win my vote.
Actually think the whole National PR needs a rewrite. Poor old Tim Costly looks like hes having a brain bleed. They are terrible photos.