Brit Bunkley writes that the Greens, led by Marama Davidson and James Shaw, "have been staunchly opposed to this oversight".
"Public servants earning more than $60,000 will only be offered pay increases under exceptional circumstances for the next three years." At best it was a poor choice of words by Robertson and Hipkins. A deceitful coup at worse.
The neoliberal Kiwi obsession on public debt has historically been an excuse
for economic austerity measures. But they have been proven wrong time and again. New Zealand's public debt has been and will continue to be among the lowest in the OECD (even after the Covid budgets). We are significantly below those examples of "economic responsibility" in Germany or Switzerland (Trading Economics).
Our economy grew nearly 30 per cent in the last 10 years. Yet, public service wage increases were well under 20 per cent - in some cases, not keeping up with inflation – a de facto pay cut. But somebody is raking it in. Between $60,000 and $100,000 salary increases will only be available if there is "serious recruitment pressure". Meanwhile, the undertaxed private sector wealthy get off scot-free. They will continue to buy multiple million-dollar properties to sell tax free with windfall profits after 10 years (no CGT under Jacinda's watch). Our deteriorating inequality will worsen.
The Greens, to their credit, have been staunchly opposed to this oversight. And also recent pressure from the public has forced Labour to compromise so that they will at the very least keep up with inflation in the $60,000-100,000 salary range. That is a step in the right direction.
BRIT BUNKLEY
Whanganui
