The Prime Minister is also Minister for Heritage, Culture and Recreation. When Labour came to power, spending was $316 million per annum. Since 1999 it has ballooned to almost $1 billion. Latest Treasury Statement of Financial Performance shows that in the year to June 2005 spending was $991 million. That's a 213 per cent increase.
Put into perspective, Law and Order spending rose by 33 per cent over the same period.
For heaven sake, don't make Helen Minister of Social Welfare!
(And for the record, as an artist, I don't think we have any right to special privileges from the state.)
4 comments:
No she doesn't claim the artist's benefit as she works under commission; she actually very talented in painting.
http://www.lindsaymitchellartist.blogspot.com/
Kudos, me either, why should I receive patronage from HC and the taxpayer.
Nothing kills the Muse faster than whoring her to the State.
900 million is half of Auckland's tax take which is dedicated to improving roading infrastructure.
The rates are set to increase 7% each year until 2016 and the China economy boom is dramatically pushing up the cost of roading.
It's criminal that the Prime Minister can allocate so much money to Arts and Culture when the public is being put under more stress to pay for basic services.
Gloria
Best grant goes to Jacko...NZ$250 million.
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