WINNING ON LOSERS
Legislation allowing the capital cost of unsuccessful software development to be tax-deductible will finally become law next week. This will complete the circle, in one of IRD's more interesting policy reversals. Last year, IRD announced that software snafus would no longer be tax-deductible, outraging many in the IT and tax industries. Now, not only will deductibility be restored, but MPs have agreed to extend the backdating of the new law to the 2006-07 tax year. This will be good news to IRD itself, which last year had to write off tens of millions of dollars worth of IT spending.
TOO MUCH SHARING
Once upon a time, ministers used to privately express concern that security and law enforcement agencies did not co-operate enough and share information. Well, the GCSB debacle shows people should be careful what they wish for. Diplomats are now starting to express concerns that the kerfuffle about the GSCB's competence may damage its reputation in the international security agency community, including the Echelon intelligence-gathering network, and more importantly, make others questions its ability to keep secrets secret. Though it is difficult to take the Americans too seriously on the issue - anyone remember Wikileaks?
ART BARRIER
If you're artistically inclined, now is the chance to enter a competition being organised by opponents of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, who are looking for the best artworks satirising the deal. The event is designed to draw attention to the next round of TPP negotiations, scheduled for Auckland in December, and three $500 prizes are being offered. Overseas cartoonists can enter, but they aren't eligible for the prizes - a rule which will no doubt be considered a violation of free-trade principles if the TPP becomes a done deal
BALD IS BEAUT
Want to get ahead? Shave your head. That's the message from a study at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton business school, which asked people to rate pictures of men with a full head of hair, and the same pictures, digitally altered to make the men look bald. On average, the baldies were seen as taller, stronger, more dominant and with more leadership potential than men with a full head of hair, or those with a thinning thatch.
TOO DULL
Treasury's latest release of gifts and other favours received by its staff caused barely a ripple as they were, to put it bluntly, pretty boring. Aside from the usual dinners, lunches and gifts (all unvalued), one lucky principal adviser got a gratis copy of the Public Law Toolbox book from Chen Palmer. And no doubt the Treasury solicitor is still treasuring the gift of a copy of the Legal Company & Securities Law Handbook 2012 from Chapman Tripp.
