Comments for The Productive Economy Council

Comment on Brian Gaynor: Costing the benefits shows we’re sinking by Tim Ellis

Tim Ellis — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:43:32 +0000

Hi Selwyn,

Now that your favourite party has lost the election, given this post, there’s no harm in you saying what you actually think of Labour’s plan to ramp up debt to pay for billions more in spending, including making the first $5k tax free (very very expensive) and expanding working for families entitlements to beneficiaries who don’t work.

Comment on Capital Gains Tax + Strategy = Jobs by George Mavumkal

George Mavumkal — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:01:11 +0000

Perhaps Labour needs to analyse the reason why it is doing badly in the polls although Phill Goffs personal popularity has risen. The life savings of most New Zealanders is in their home and thier investment property. It is also their biggest asset. Most businesses mortgage their home to finance their business aspirations. A good percentage of small business and retial is based in the construction sector. Labour still has a chance of forming the governement if it can garner another 10% points. With 2 weeks left I feel that the party needs to focus on making the capital gains tax more people friendly , taking into account the needs and aspirations of all New Zealanders. Labour also needs to talk about job creation. Providing incentives, increasing skill sets and incentives towards making New Zealand a world player in the industry could sway more voters towards Labour. George Mavumkal

Comment on Labour’s Kiwi jobs, Kiwi skills, Kiwi industries initiative makes sense by Tim Ellis

Tim Ellis — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:32:29 +0000

Hi Selwyn,

I saw this page again linked by Labour’s ownourfuture site as if you are an independent commentator on these issues.

Could you please advise how many people are currently involved in the Productive Economy Council, and whether they endorse your whole-hearted support of the Labour Party in this matter? And if they don’t, then why are you still trying to pass yourself off as an independent business commentator when you are quite obviously just a front for the Labour Party?

Comment on Labour’s Kiwi jobs, Kiwi skills, Kiwi industries initiative makes sense by Tim Ellis

Tim Ellis — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:07:50 +0000

Hi Selwyn,

Nice to see you blogging again. I see that you’re still passing yourself as an independent business commentator, while in fact you’re still just shilling for the Labour Party.

Tell me, Selwyn, do you still think Phil Goff should step down as Labour Party leader to allow somebody else to step up?

Comment on Labour’s Kiwi jobs, Kiwi skills, Kiwi industries initiative makes sense by Selwyn Pellett

Selwyn Pellett — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 23:29:12 +0000

Sadly “Smile and Wave” is a media winner. People need to look through the personalities to the policies that are underneath. I have a simple request…can anyone who reads this tell me any country that has successfully negotiated the GFC with typical Chicago School of Economic policies in place. The Great White Hope of America is where? England is where? By contrast look at Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, China, all with policies that focus on export as their priority. Last night Switzerland just pegged their Franc to the Euro to stop speculators destroying their export economy but we allow it day after day. Exports have declined in the country, as has investment in productivity and capability. I wonder if a shacky export foundation (Interest rates and exchange rates) can be correlated to the reduction. I suspect so.

Comment on Labour’s Kiwi jobs, Kiwi skills, Kiwi industries initiative makes sense by Celia Geary

Celia Geary — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:46:07 +0000

I agree that our young people leaving school at 16(or before) need jobs, not the Dole. I think your schemes are great, but then not all NZers are intelligent enough to understand the problems which we face. And the smiling facade of Mr. Key fools so many. Kids are so vulnerable and they don’t get a vote until 18, by that time their lives can be ruined. We need sensible programmes for the future, not pie in the sky. Go for it Labour!

Comment on Capital Gains Tax + Strategy = Jobs by Selwyn Pellett

Selwyn Pellett — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:21:03 +0000

We live in hope CLEO. Vision, Mission, Strategic Imperatives, Strategy, Tactics…..yeah why would you want any of that. Build a cycle track instead.

Comment on Capital Gains Tax + Strategy = Jobs by Cleo

Cleo — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:31:27 +0000

Ah Strategy. There is a problem there. NZ doesnt appear to DO Strategy.

Comment on Has Labour found its mojo? by Alan Chapman

Alan Chapman — Tue, 24 May 2011 00:59:53 +0000

All I can say is “You and your Stupid Political Parties”

Headline should be “Political Parties pull head out of ass long enough to look to the future.”

The problem is each party spends so much time covering their asses and pointing fingers at the other. Instead of lessening to the special reports they keep paying to get written and then ignoring, or watering them down to the point were they have no effect at all.

What we need is a is a televised debate where PEC and the Fabians Society publicly show them what they are doing wrong and to educate the general public about really issues or better yet a “Politically Incorrect Guide to Politics and Economic Growth”
pointing out simple things to the masses, like NZ pays more to Oz in Interest and Debit Servicing than the Top50 NZ Companies bring into NZ. So if they want to catch up with Australia then we have to stop giving them all our &$^% Money.

Comment on Goff’s announcement will split the business vote predicts the Productive Economy Council by Selwyn Pellett

Selwyn Pellett — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:17:05 +0000

Thanks Lily. Well Tim will be pleased to know that in my opinion Phil Goff should now stand down. Leadership is about vision, courage, passion, authenticity, empowering others. It should not be confused with capable, safe pair of hands, nice guy, deserves his chance etc.

Be it National or Labour we need real leadership, not poll sniffers. If you want to just “manage” a bunch of likeminded people then sniff polls, carve out a suitable bunch and manage them.

If you want to make a difference and change the country then LEAD!

Sell your vision, educate the population, build your support and implement your policies. It’s kind of old fashioned these days but that’s what we need. Phil Goff should stand down and the party should go through a process to elect a new Leader and front bench. It’s the process that didn’t happen when Helen Clark stood down and now its shows.

A good democracy, like good law processes requires checks and balances. Without a strong opposition the incumbent gets lazy and takes easy options. The analogy would be like the police planting evidence “to save time” in court if there wasn’t a defense barristers to ensure the rights of the accused where protected. So a strong opposition is essential and Phil Goff can’t deliver that so he should stand down.