Addendum. Here's the quarterly data - see how Govt net borrowing (pink) has actually *increased* each of the last four quarters while Govt has been trying to cut spending? It's happening to them. They are going to get pulled to bits.

The Fast Track Golden Goose. My #cartoon today #NZpol #FastTrack #environment #Resources #mining

Today's glorious Stats NZ monthly prices data covers just under half of the CPI basket but it tells the story pretty well. Falling global oil prices are now pulling CPI down despite usual increases in rent, tobacco etc. Not hard to see what kicked inflation off is it? 🛢️

Musical Chairs if we generated our own energy through renewables, plus batteries and hydro storage, rather than importing oil from volatile parts of the world, it would probably go a long way to stabilising inflation, eh? Not just the direct cost, but all the flowon cost in other consumer goods

Clint Smith Imagine if we asked a well-resourced building full of brains to come up with a plan to ensure price stability. Would they (a) come up ways to insulate us from volatile energy prices, or (b) wiggle the price of money around and glare at us to 'influence our expectations'?

I'd like to ask Ian Town Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora a) why is NZ doing practically nothing for #LongCovid when other places incl Aus at least have clinics, guidelines, govt inquiries, biomed research $, prevalence data etc? b) where are all the drs he says are good with post-viral illnesses?

Atlas Network “Freedom’s Champion” 🤪🤪🙄 reuters.com/world/americas…

I think that is the whole point. Act fast before social opprobrium mounts. Damage so much so quickly that rebuttal and resistance is stymied. Only judicial reviews can stop these Fast Track disasters...and those will only come when it's too late. So it's critically important

WestSide 8345 Shane Jones Shane Jones bloviates nonsense while getting his back scratched.. a cheap manky political windsock that inflates when donors call.

Manawanui: 200,000 litres of diesel has leaked from wreck, says Samoan authorities rnz.co.nz/international/…

Great thread here...

Milei's anarcho- capitalist financial miracle is about as successful as Willis's Toyota Corolla brand new ferries..

Can't her daughter do her own job without Mummy interfering? Is Atlas Network really just a finishing school for privileged Pakeha kids?

Here's the link to the podcast. Thanks Bernard Hickey thespinoff.co.nz/business/12-10…

iReX...

How they work...

Do you guys remember the HUGE focus on the public interest journalism fund & the (unlikely) potential for biased reporting? Where is the outrage now that Luxon is profiting directly from a real estate law he passed & major National party donors are on the Fast Track project list?

In an under-reported decision this week the govt cut funding for apprenticeships in road construction & maintenance, bitumen surfacing, pipeline construction & maintenance, drinking/wastewater treatment, and a range of other trades. Who do they think will fix our infrastructure?

They also cut the value of the apprenticeship boost at a time when apprentice numbers are declining. Another short-term decision the country will pay the price for in the future when we have a shortage of tradies to do the work that needs to be done.

The cutie poll....about sums up a Farrar Poll.