Saturday, July 12, 2008

The huge income gap



New Zealand would slot into this table between Portugal and Spain.

Note where Australia is.

The latest average weekly income for people in paid employment I can source for NZ is June 2007. NZ $670 per week. (Table 5).

In February 2008 Australians were earning NZ $1,127 per week.

The gap is huge. That's why we need a real and workable plan to bridge it. If you haven't already had a look at ACT's you should.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

The pernicious effect of wealth redistribution are thgere, in the open, for all to be seen!

The battle is lost. A move to Australia looks more and more attractive.

Anonymous said...

But! But! But australia has higher taxes, and super contributions and... and....


And I really hope act get enough seats that the Nats have to accommodate them at the cabinet table.

ZenTiger said...

Higher taxes at the top end that is. In NZ Labour say "we stick it to the rich, and the rich are on 60K+. In Australia the rich are allowed to earn over 100K. The top rate kicks in at $180K, and even though its a higher percentage, look where it starts and look at the income bands on the way up.

The other country to note in that chart was Ireland. Another low tax nation that generates enough tax revenue to fund health and education and still let people keep their money.

For NZ to adopt healthy tax and spend policies, ACT would need a very large share of seats to influence National. So far, I can't see National being any better than Labour, and will likely be too scared to move given the current economic downturn, which will only give us more downturn.

Anonymous said...

Luck land here I come.
Murray

Anonymous said...

But! But! But australia has higher taxes, and super contributions and... and....

that is - to put it simply - complete and utter crap.

Q: NZ has had a public health system since 1932. When did australia establish a full public health system?

A: never


Q: NZ has had ACC since the 1960s. When did australia establish a National accident compensation system.

A: never



Q: NZ has a central-government controlled employment system since the 1920.s When did Australia get a centralised union-rorted wage-fixing system

A: never


The other country to note in that chart was Ireland.

Can you say "structural adjustment funding"?
I knew you could.