Pansy Speak

Charitable vs Wasteful

By now you may have heard about the million-dollar website from Immigration NZ that has only two job offers, or that the new ACC campaign is costing $5.1 million and is nothing more than a branding exercise for a state monopoly. If you feel outraged about this blatant waste of taxpayers’ money, then read on!

This week, seeing the contorted face of Michael Cullen following John Key’s announcement about our policy to remove caps on tax rebates for donations to charities was one of those priceless moments. It was obvious to see that Cullen was kicking himself for not thinking of this sooner. However, it would have been nigh on impossible for the Labour Government to do this because they believe that taxing us and choosing how to spend our money is better than letting individuals make their own decisions about how to spend it themselves.

Our policy follows the speech John made a few weeks ago about New Zealand’s growing underclass. That speech has led to real development, with more businesses and charities working together to ensure kids don’t go to school hungry and therefore affect their learning.

To encourage and reward this type of giving culture, which is indicative of all New Zealanders, the existing cap on donations of $1,680 and donations of any amount, up to an individual's total net income, will be eligible for the 33.3% rebate, and the 5% cap on the level of donations that can be deducted by companies will be removed.

National’s estimate is this will cost a loss of tax revenue of $60 million to $90 million but will generate $300 million additional donations on top of the existing $300 million that’s given every year. That’s good value for money!

This is in stark contrast to the two embarrassing examples of wastage from government departments, mentioned previously, that has left the Ministers responsible with egg on their face.

After I alerted the Immigration Minister to the $1 million website with only two job vacancies – one being for a hairdresser - he has called for a review into www.networkzonline.govt.nz. Compare this to the 6,040 people listed as looking for work and you can see the site is not matching employers and employees as promised! Imagine if Trade Me had only two sellers interested in listing. It wouldn’t stay in business.

I was even more astounded to learn that despite the 1,087 computer specialists registered on NetworkZ Online, the Immigration Minister is now spending a further $2 million to attract IT specialists because of the shortage we are facing. Why is he ignoring experienced people to waste even more of taxpayers’ money?

With only two advertisers, employers clearly don’t think the website works. The Government isn’t even leading by example – there aren't any job vacancies from any of their departments! Apart from the set-up costs, taxpayers are spending $86,400 a year to keep the website working. This has to be New Zealand’s most expensive and ineffective job agency.

After I alerted the Minister to this disgrace, I was interviewed by Radio New Zealand. Following my comments, the CEO of the Employers and Manufacturers Association was also interviewed, and said that his group wasn’t consulted about networkzonline.govt.nz before or after it was launched and they hadn’t heard of any promotion for it.

I want to know why it cost $1 million to set up a site that’s pretty basic, and whether Immigration NZ vets prospective employees and would guarantee fast tracking for approved job seekers? Watch this space!

Meanwhile, at ACC they’re spending millions to promote themselves when they’ve got no competition. They’re doing this in prime-time TV space, on Trade Me and in the major daily newspapers. I fail to see what message was in the ½ page advert in the NZ Herald showing an Asian family enjoying yum cha at a restaurant – it’s highly unlikely that anyone would injure themselves enjoying yum cha!!

Any way you look at it, the Labour-led Government is wasting our money. National wants to give it back to you so you can make your own decisions about how to spend it. Isn’t it a much better idea to give to charities than pay for prime-time TV adverts that tell you something you can find out for free elsewhere?

Pansy Wong

www.pansywong.co.nz
www.national.org.nz

ENDS

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