Friday 10th Sep 1999

ACT Party President Sir Roger Douglas today said Jim Anderton's call for a 5% tariff on all goods imported from any country other than Australia is yet another example of a politician looking just one day ahead and ignoring the long-term results of his decisions.

"We must consider the impact of his proposals:

"The primary consequence is that if effective, the proposal would reduce the supply of foreign produced goods. As a result, employment in domestic industries might just expand.

"But, the secondary effect would be higher prices. As a result of higher prices, consumers won't be able to afford some goods. These reductions in spending will mean less output and reduced employment in many areas of activity.

"When secondary effects are considered the impact on employment is clear, it will fall - well done Jim, you've done it again!" said Sir Roger Douglas.

ENDS

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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>>