No Buggerising Around & Other Key Lies

[Perry]

Petrol, Road Charges Save The Day
Vernon Small
18/12/2012

There would be no "buggerising around" to make sure the Government
delivered a forecast surplus in 2014-15, Prime Minister John Key
promised earlier this month.

Well, call it what you will it was this morning's 11th hour
announcement of an increase in excise on petrol and road user charges
that saved the day, adding $300m to the 2014-15 balance.

So we again see politicians speaking with forked tongue. Later on, is
this telling comment.

There are some fairly heroic assumptions underpinning even the slim
surplus forecast. It requires a bounce back in immigration from a net
outflow of 3000 this year to an inflow of 12,000 by 2015, predicated
on a narrowing gap between the performance of our economy and that
of Australia.

[Davo36]

I think this tactic stinks.

They go on and on about how they will return to surplus etc. But then when it looks as though it won't happen, they introduce new taxes to make it so. And then say "See we'll return to surplus!"

[Perry]

The only thing you should be surprised
at is that you're surprised at it, at all.

[Davo36]

Perry, yep you're right.

Although thinking about it, I'm pleasantly surprised that I wasn't cynical enough to think they would do this.

[drelly]

Plans have to change if the numbers change. Rent goes up when insurance costs and rates rise. I don't see the difference?

[speights boy]

Cynical tactics aside, and assuming it is a way to reach a meaningless miniscule 2015 surplus; what do we think of 3 years worth of tax increase telegraphed.

I'm in favour.

[speights boy]

Plans have to change if the numbers change. Rent goes up when insurance costs and rates rise. I don't see the difference?

What about interest rate costs?
Does rent go up and down as interest rates rise and fall?

[Perry]

Plans have to change if the numbers change. Rent goes up when insurance costs
and rates rise. I don't see the difference?

I see a difference in what is 'promised.' Say you let a property
at xxx rate with an undertaking to not change that rate for
5 years. How do you later go back to the lessee/tenant and
say that - because the numbers have changed - the former
undertaking of the rent freeze is arbitrarily cancelled?

Especially if the lease was signed on the 5-year-freeze basis.

BUt then again, we're talking grubby politicians, here, not the
average run-of-the-mill PI who likely has far higher standards.

[Perry]

MPs To Receive End Of Year Pay Rise
7:47 PM Tuesday Dec 18, 2012

While many people struggle financially at Christmas, politicians will
be enjoying early holiday cheer with a pay rise. The independent
Remuneration Authority has again made an end of year recommendation
for a pay increase for the MPs. Prime Minister John Key said said
today he was comfortable with politicians getting more in their pay
packets this year. The pay rise, to be confirmed on Thursday, would be
back-paid - giving politicians a Christmas lump sum.

Nice for sum. Remember that when you take your tenants
a box of chocs for Xmas, wont you?

[drelly]

What about interest rate costs?
Does rent go up and down as interest rates rise and fall?

That's up to you isn't it? But yes, as interest rates rise, there would obviously be upward pressure on rents.

I see a difference in what is 'promised.' Say you let a property
at xxx rate with an undertaking to not change that rate for
5 years. How do you later go back to the lessee/tenant and
say that - because the numbers have changed - the former
undertaking of the rent freeze is arbitrarily cancelled?

The difference is that one is a contractual obligation and the other is a statement of intent.