10333671
Description
Flashcards by Jennifer Atkinson, updated more than 1 year ago
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Created by Jennifer Atkinson
about 7 years ago
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| Question | Answer |
| what did neoliberalism look like in NZ? | While the Closer Economic Relations treaty between New Zealand and Australia came into force in 1983. New Zealanders generally agree the 1984-90 Labour Government was the real start of neoliberalism. Subsidies were broadly eliminated from most industries, dozens of state-owned companies were sold and the financial sector underwent major market reforms, including the free floating of the dollar. GST of 10 per cent was slapped on the cost of practically everything and the top income tax rate, of 66 cents in the dollar, was halved over two years. Later, under National, labour relations saw dramatic changes with the Employment Contracts Act, passed in 1990. Welfare payments were cut. University fees were hiked and have risen since. |
| what is neoliberalism? | As colleague Henry Cooke put it: "Neoliberalism traditionally describes the political shift in the 1980s towards privatisation of government services, a focus on individual freedoms over collective good, and a general glorification of market principles".Laissez-faire (let do) was in, and intervention became something of a dirty word. As well as rewarding individual toil, proponents believed that greater wealth creation by some would, as if by magic, trickle down to the less fortunate, and on average people would be better off. |
| What impact did Helen have on neoliberalism | The fifth Labour Government of Helen Clark certainly eased back on the reforms, but it did sign a free trade agreement with China, which boosted exports and may ultimately constrain - or at least complicate - attempts to control foreign investment.National's record is mixed. Income tax has been cut and GST hiked. The private sector has been allowed to operate prisons and state houses are being sold to charities. But working for families - which it once dismissed as socialism - was maintained. The minimum wage has progressively risen. State owned enterprises were partially sold, but with a promise that the Crown would retain control, through a 51 per cent shareholding. |
| so what is Jacinda about? | Both National and Labour have agreed that more houses need to be built, but Labour is clearly taking the more interventionist stance in the housing market, pledging to build 100,000 affordable homes within 10 years.Labour has also said it would ban foreign buyers of housing by Christmas. On the face of it, such a move would likely to be complicated, given our trade agreements, but Ardern insists the bottom line on housing is "pretty firm". The moves on housing back up Labour's other tough talk on trade. Already Ardern has said Labour would renegotiate the South Korean free trade agreement and that it would only sign up to the TPP if it gets to renegotiate it. The idea that South Korea will give ground to New Zealand without demanding something in return has trade negotiators laughing. |
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