OPINION
The forthcoming election will see a change of government. In that sense, the election can’t come soon enough. The banishment of the worst, most inept and non-achieving government in living memory to the Opposition benches will be cause for celebration. I take issue with the prophets of doom who say it will be more of the same. I don’t think so and I hope I’m right.
What gives me cause for optimism is that National and ACT will have sorting out the economy as their number one priority. Right now those in the know are sending out a warning that the government’s books are in a far worse state than we are being led to believe. We should not be surprised as economic mismanagement has been one of many hallmarks of failure for this government. Couple that with the fall in income from agricultural products, particularly dairy and lamb, and we as a country are deeply stuck.
Further optimism comes because National and Act have similar views on the economy. I am aware there are differences regarding taxation, but overall there is basic agreement on putting the economy “back on track”. There are other key policy areas National and ACT agree on. These include education, health, welfare, public service, law and order, housing, transport and Three Waters.
EDUCATION – Charter schools will be reopened. A back-to-basics approach to learning, including the three ‘R’s and curriculum changes to History and Science. I have heard Erica Stanford speak and I can vouch she will be onto it. She is a no-nonsense person and knows exactly what needs to be achieved. Children will be back in the classroom.
HEALTH – The Maori Health Authority will be disbanded and absorbed into the overall Health Service. There will be targets for waiting times for being seen and for surgery. These targets are a means of highlighting problem areas so they can be quickly sorted. Dr Shane Reti will be an excellent Minister.
WELFARE – Once again targets will be a focus. Those on the jobseeker allowance will actively be encouraged to find work. There are an endless number of potholes to fill. No doubt there will be a requirement with solo mothers to name the father (if indeed that’s possible) so he can contribute to the welfare payments.
PUBLIC SERVICE – This bloated organisation will be trimmed in terms of staff numbers, e.g. there will not be 200 communications staff at the Ministry of Health. Those who lose their positions could be more gainfully employed elsewhere. We are talking about thousands of bureaucrats.
LAW AND ORDER – Getting tough on crime will be the number one priority with youth offending at the top of the list. There will be establishments where youth who require it will get discipline, education, improved self-esteem and help in joining the workforce at the end of their time. Those who belong in prison will be put there.
HOUSING – Land will be freed up for housing. Intensification will be allowed but not at the expense of heritage houses in city and urban areas. More houses will be built, including social housing. I am picking there will be targets in this area also.
TRANSPORT – ROADS, ROADS, ROADS. As National has pointed out you can’t be a first-world country if your roads are not up to scratch. Roads will get priority as they should. Public transport will feature but in a sensible way. No loopy light rail to the airport but more proven busways in Auckland. The misnomer of ‘Let’s Get Wellington Moving’ will be gone. Better roading alignments will be put in place. Christchurch is also due to benefit. There is disagreement, probably with some justification, over using Chinese money to fund some of these projects.
THREE WATERS – This daft idea, designed to benefit the Maori elite, will definitely be gone. Water infrastructure will be handed back to its rightful owners, the local councils and their ratepayers who funded it in the first place. A sensible system will be introduced whereby councils who need financial help in this area can seek assistance from the government.
Pretty much all of the above, broadly speaking, National and ACT agree on. Christopher Luxon and David Seymour enjoy a good relationship despite the odd poke and prod designed for public consumption to advance each party’s chances. I think they will work well together. The two-page article in the Weekend Herald weekend before last about Christopher Luxon is well worth a read. It is balanced and gives a good insight into the man and his background including what he stands for.
I believe that, once in the job, Christopher Luxon will make a good Prime Minister, and that he and Nicola Willis can get this economy back to where it should be so this country can again be respected on the world stage. In saying that I’m not talking about the type of respect Ardern was given by the Guardian. It’s the respect of other countries, particularly our friends and allies, who can view us as a country that has found its mojo.
The prospect of National and ACT working well together is in sharp contrast to a Coalition of Chaos where Labour would find a number of policies, from both the Greens and certainly the Maori Party, electorally unpalatable. We’ve just endured six years of ineptitude and idiocy. What this country needs now is stability and sensible policies.
They can only come from a National/ACT Government.