Economics
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines.
There is a constant theme from the economic commentariat that New Zealand needs to lift its economic growth rate, coupled with policies which they are certain will attain that objective. Their prescriptions are usually characterised by two features. First, they tend to be in their advocate’s self-interest. Second, they are unbacked by any systematic empirical evidence using, instead selective anecdote. Well, yes; there is always an example to confirm one’s prejudice. But rarely will it stand up in a court of science. (The conversation is not helped by those who cannot discriminate between productivity growth is slowing down and productivity is falling.)
Do we treat the government finances with the common sense that household’s manage theirs?
Budget tensions are becoming evident within the Coalition Government.
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition?
What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.
The Government says it will give localities more control over healthcare decisions. But how?
‘It has been said that figures rule the world. Maybe. I am quite sure that it is figures which show us whether it is being ruled well or badly.’ Goethe