No Wonder Working Kiwis Are Feeling Squeezed

ACT New Zealand Leader Rodney Hide today said updated figures released by Finance Minister Michael Cullen explained why hardworking Kiwis are feeling squeezed.

"Since Labour came to office, direct taxes have risen 23.9 percent, while household income has only risen 12.7 percent.

"According to Dr Cullen's figures, household income has increased by $7,720, but total tax paid has increased $5,200 - leaving only $2,520. They have only got to keep a third of their increase - nowhere near enough to compensate for inflation under this Government.

"There's not doubt about it, Kiwis are worse off under this Government - Dr Cullen's figures prove it. That's something any working family could tell Cullen," Mr Hide said.

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>