Job Discussion Forums

atomic_donut · Joined: 21 Sep 2004 Posts: 34 Location: Melbourne

McNug, New Zealand used to have a government that would have made you wrench, but you are right...Helen Clark is doing a good job across the Tasman. As an Australian, I don't know how much other Aussies know about NZ domestic affairs. I used to know the name of previous leaders from the National Party or two (Jenny Shipley, Bill English, and the Nationals also had David Lange as PM as well as coming up with "Rogernomics"), but I don't know who has that job now.

Funnily enough, while Costello is seen as the natural successor to John Howard's leadership, in the back of Howard's mind he would probably prefer to have Tony Abbott in charge, because their views on social matters and religious influences are quite similar. Following this election's disaster for the ALP, who would that make the 3 Stooges...possibly Mark Latham, Simon Crean (shadow treasurer) and Peter Garrett (rock star turned environmentalist, and now ALP environment spokesman)?

Finally, Lubeck...why don't you give your mouth a go, and in the other hole, put a plug? Your opinion was as funny as Gary Glitter at a kid's party. I suppose that in comparison, you are the Pope.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Is it ok to ask why someone got banned?

BradS · Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

willie wonka · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 10

I'm proud to be an Aussie. Am I responsible for what the government does? Nope! Am I proud of what any government does? Nope. Doesn't change the fact I was born in a wonderful country which gave me many opportunities, including teaching English around the world.

Aramas · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 1:39 pm Post subject:

Aramas · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 1:42 pm Post subject:

And on the subject of Kiwi politicians, let's not forget 'Piggy' Muldoon! Imagine that Winston Churchill and Maggie Thatcher had a love child - that's Piggy! Smile

sojourner · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 2:45 pm Post subject:

David,

Sorry for the nit-picking,but I should point out that one- time NZ PM,David Lange led a Labour govt,not a National Party one.It was the Lange Labour govt that initiated the regime of privatisation and economic deregulation.His Minister of Finance was Sir Roger Douglas,of 'rogernomics' fame.Later on, Douglas became disillusioned with Labour and was instrumental in setting up ACT-NZ,probably the most 'free market libertarian' party in NZ.I believe that it is currently led by Richard Prebble,also a one-time Labour Party member.ACT-NZ has several MPs,thanks to NZ's MMP electoral system.

Aramas,

Although 'Piggy' Muldoon was a National Party PM,his economic policies were of the kind that would make someone like Maggie Thatcher groan in agony.Although Muldoon frequently resorted to 'free enterprise' and 'anti-socialist' rhetoric,he was,in fact, very committed to a highly regulated economic system.

Peter

le0n · Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 786

The cowtowing to the States has started.

The US Ambasador to Australia said this morning " The free trade agreement between Australia and the US may not be acccepted with the ammendments forced by Labor"

That means the US drug companys will now be able to charge what they want for drugs in Australia.

What we voted for was more of the same " less service and higher prices "

As I stated in an earlier post, Greed won.

I'm still proud to be an Aussie, but I'm being tested.

le0n · Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 786

Adding to the above.

What we did last Saturday was become an unofficial 52nd state of the US with the responcibility of adding to their profits and well being with no added or very few benifits.

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

le0n writes, "What we did last Saturday was become an unofficial 52nd state of the US..."

Which is the 51st state?

Politics are a nasty bit of business. I hope you all have better luck the next time.

They're still going to run the Melbourne Cup, right?

le0n · Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 786

51st state. They would have to be screwing some one else!!! Laughing

le0n · Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 786

Another interesting point is the relationship between the Australian & the New Zealand Dollar.

For yonks it has always been AUD1 = NZD1.2. Over the last 12 or so months it has been getting closer until just before the election the NZD was down to ( or is that up to ) 1.03 to the AUD.

One has to ask why? I think it's because we Aussies are to interested in being a World Power and NZ is just going about its business of running their own country for the benifit of New Zealand.

Any ideas?

atomic_donut · Joined: 21 Sep 2004 Posts: 34 Location: Melbourne

Sojourner,

I am happy that you pointed out the correction, so do not apologise about the nit-picking. I just proved how little I knew about NZ politics. The other recent name I know is Winston Peters of NZ First, as well as that MP who had a sex change, but his/her name eludes me now. To think I always assumed that John Howard was Margaet Thatcher's and Ronald Reagan's lovechild.

If Australia became the 52nd American state, then possibly Puerto Rico is in line to be the 51st, although I know it is a dependency and is used for missile launches...Canada's more liberal stance on refugees and their anti-war stance has clearly set them apart. I can't think of any others that may be the "51st"...maybe Japan, as they are heavily influenced by American culture and foreign policy, and their post-war constitution was based on the American model? (correct me if I am wrong here, please).

Compared to Australia, New Zealand is quite happy in making its progress without having to feel the need to be 'on a world stage'. in Oceania, Australia is a big fish in a small pond, but Australia is not close to the G8, despite our "strong economic growth". Surely Singapore and South Korea are ahead of us in certain areas, and Sth. Korea probably has a case of being recognised as one of the world's strongest economic powers and joining the elite group, despite the financial crisis a few years back. It stood up to the French regarding the Rainbow Warrior incident, told the US where to go on the ANZUS treaty and also jokes about the concept of 'north island, south island and west island (referring to Australia).

atomic_donut · Joined: 21 Sep 2004 Posts: 34 Location: Melbourne

Sojourner,

Is it still the case that in NZ if you earn over $32,000 NZD, you creep into the lowest rungs of the highest tax brackets? I remember reading that in a political theory book a few years ago.

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

You have the honour of giving to Wellington 19.5% of the first NZD$38,400. The amount rom NZD$38,401 to NZD$59.999 is taxed at 33%, and anything over NZD$60,000 is taxed a whopping 39%. Don't forget 1.6% goes to ACC. And the GST is 12.5%. It sounds like a lot, maybe it is, but people get on with their lives.