They just couldn’t help themselves, could they? The MSM wasted no time at all in calling out Chris Luxon for his Christian beliefs, his seven properties, his association with John Key and his daring to suggest that aspiration was a good thing for New Zealand.
“Appearing after his appointment, Luxon said he was frustrated by suggestions his friend and mentor Sir John Key helped. “I am not John Key,” he said.
Chris Luxon’s plan for the National party | The Spinoff Justin Giovannetti, 1December.
His position with Air New Zealand was similarly disparaged: “Aviation experts questioned Luxon’s description of his time as chief executive of Air New Zealand.” reported Stuff. “He inherited a profitable and well-run company, and then rode one of the greatest travel booms in history.”
“As the NZ Herald (paywalled) wrote, ‘Luxon will need to hope his fortunes in politics mirror those in business, where he arrived at the very start of a boom and left right before it came crashing down. His only other notable experience is as a manager at the Canadian subsidiary of Unilever. However, there’s been no indication he was ever in any position to “reverse the fortunes” of the successful global giant. He was very well remunerated and told RNZ that he now owns seven houses, while playing down his socially conservative views.’”
Given that we now have a fiscally incompetent government led by a PM with no business experience at all and a Deputy PM, the Minister of Finance, with an Arts degree, would you expect the biased and bought-off media to be decent enough to give credit where it is due? Of course not. They won’t have it. The man is savvy. Successful. Intelligent. Well spoken. He brings huge business experience to the position. A combo that New Zealand is desperately in need of. I have no doubt that he is up to the machinations of diplomacy and will use his background to guide his growing political leadership skills. He is well aware that running a business is not the same as leading a country.
He has values of honesty and integrity. Again, values we must have if we are ever to emerge from the tightening grip of socialism led by a totalitarian. We want to see the economy growing, not the public service.
Chris Luxon is not National’s messiah, The Standard said on the 2nd of December. “Two days into Chris Luxon’s reign as National leader and my initial impression is an overwhelming Meh.” Two days – you really gave him a chance.
David Parker had to have a go at him about the properties he owns. Christopher Luxon’s property empire shows ‘we’ve become a very unequal society’ – Labour MP David Parker | Newshub
Where is the list of properties owned by Labour Ministers? Their wealth? And why is being successful not a hint that he might be good for this country, which is now being run into the ground? Not just on the basis of the Covid-smokescreen spend-up but for intergenerational welfare dependency, for a lack of aspiration and low achievement levels across many societal groups. Poverty and welfare are linked to lower aspiration.
“Aspirations failure is a consequence of poverty, rather than a cause…raising aspirations alone is sufficient to help escape from a poverty trap, even without relaxing material constraints.”
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
In Chris Luxon’s first speech, he makes the point that “we have a choice: a choice between our current road to mediocrity, or a pathway to a more confident, aspirational and prosperous future.” Surely the words of a future leader with the best of intentions for the country?
According to our PM’s government webpage of 23 February 2021:
22,400 fewer children experiencing material hardship
45,400 fewer children in low income households on after-housing costs measure
After-housing costs target achieved a year ahead of schedule
“Government action has seen child poverty reduce against all nine official measures compared to the baseline year, Prime Minister and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction,” Jacinda Ardern said.
However…
“The number of children living in benefit-receiving households has risen by over 15% in the last two years to 208,000 children, roughly one in every five in Aotearoa. Yet the social security system still provides inadequate income and other support for these families, who are among the most likely to live in entrenched poverty.”
The WEAG Press Release, 8 December, Govt Yet To Fully Implement A Single Key WEAG Recommendation Three Years On: New Research | Scoop News
So a gap between rhetoric and reality yet again from our great communicator? Surely not.
Why wouldn’t New Zealanders want a revitalised New Zealand where the relationship between poverty, welfare and aspiration can be addressed as a triumvirate? Why would we want to continue on the same path that leads to perilous outcomes for so many? The impact of the pandemic that has affected every household in the country cannot be understated, but the recovery must be set against improved educational, economic, health, and social outcomes for all. Not the future Jacinda Ardern is bringing about with division and divisiveness, by segregation of all against different metrics and now with an increasing groundswell of anger, distrust, and growing concern against her socialist, totalitarian agenda.
And does the newly-appointed leader of the Opposition attend church?
Isn’t his church-going his business? Had he been a Muslim instead of a Christian, this issue would not have been raised – not once. Would Jacinda have played dress-up for persecuted Christians? Not a chance. It is Chris Luxon’s decency that the government and MSM cannot stand. The separation of church and state is not at risk. He is not a member of a fundamentalist cult. He is not hostile to women’s interests as the MSM is so keen to insinuate. He is keen, enthusiastic, and carries no taint of the difficult period in the time of the National party.
He seems like an honourable chap who wants to return New Zealand to a democracy with aspiration, opportunity, and optimism for all. Together. It is great to see him getting in the face of an entrenched media and a rattled government. It is clear that Chris Luxon is not going to be a shadow Opposition leader. Keep piling it on Chris Luxon. We need hope and a plan for the future.