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Alternative Budget 2010 competition launched to get generations X and Y thinking
The Productive Economy Council and the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA) have launched an inaugural Alternative Budget Competition for all university students.
“Generations X and Y have a huge stake in the future of our country since it is on them that the tax burden of supporting any future benefits – which they may or may not receive – will fall. And yet these generations are poorly represented among those who form our economic policies,” said Selwyn Pellett, spokesman for the Productive Economy Council (PEC).
“We want to see what ideas our smartest students can come up with as a counter to the traditional ideas which lack inspiration and have delivered an unbalanced economy with lacklustre growth. The objective is summed up in the tag line for the competition: Clean Sheet, New Vision.” said Pellett.
“While the domestic economy seems to be recovering - albeit with a fiscal stimulus we can’t sustain - jobs and exports are still declining while our national debt has increased to alarming levels at around 100% of GDP,” said John Walley of NZMEA. “The jobless recovery must be worrying for all students and we thought it was time they had the opportunity to propose alternatives via this competition.”
“The Baby Boomers, as a powerful voting block, demand attention from our politicians and that influence has long been seen in the conservative approach to economic policy. Giving Generations X and Y a voice might open up some interesting alternative thinking,” said Walley.
“The property inflation of the last 15 or so years has not served our children and grandchildren well and yet we are expecting them to pick up the tab for our bad investment decisions,” says Pellett.
“As a nation we have borrowed privately, via trading banks, not to fund productivity or remove capacity constraints but to fund asset inflation. While we balanced the Government expenditure and reduced crown debt over the last decade we seriously under-invested in infrastructure which undermines our ability to be competitive as an export nation. In short, we funded immediacy and consumption rather than investing for the next generation.”
First prize is NZ$7000, while the other three finalists will win NZ$1,000 each.
Related Topics
The judges include Lachlan McKenzie from Federated Farmers, Brian Gaynor from Milford Asset Management and Bernard Hickey from Interest .co.nz, as well as John Walley CEO of the NZMEA and Selwyn Pellett from the PEC.
31 Comments
I'll start this one! Anyone
I'll start this one! Anyone who is genuinely concerned for the welfare of future generations can start by removing 'growth' from their mantra. Otherwise I drag their comments into a folder I have marked 'IDIOT', and anything else they have to say which might have had merit, ends up there too.
Come on Mr Pellet - you prove that growth can be had ex resource extraction, and I'll let you on your way.
Brownlee says you can't. Creech says you can't. Hide says you can't. Track-record says you can't. Glass is half-full at this point, last doubling-time (you are maths-savvy, Mr Pellet?) happening now. Wealth beyond glass-half-full was always going to shrink - ain't no essay gonna change that!
Yes, there is a chance for those generations - a slim one and the door is closing fast - but growth as a panacea?
Spare me.
I do know a couple of students who understand sustainability, though. I wonder how many of the judges would understand what they're on about , though.
Finally a brilliant idea from
Finally a brilliant idea from PEC & the incredible team at NZMEA . Get the youngsters planning the future they want . Put us back onto a path of economic growth . Gotta grow our GDP , after stagnating all these years . Think of the half-full glass , how can I get more into it ? And when 'tis full , get a bigger glass . Excellent . Eagerly await the results from our best & brightest . Growth is the key , guys . We have a lot of un-tapped resources . Harness them to expand our prosperity .
Authorities in trade associations need
Authorities in trade associations need to look into clever advertising in the media for culture changes in our country. I wrote about this months ago and constantly. The action described above is a good start to make sure the younger generation is becoming more politically involved.
Other media should also be approached. Television, which is used by the majority of people should improve. Silly and violent programs need to be replaced by quality programs.
All good. Roger - "incredible
All good.
Roger - "incredible team at NZMEA". Lost for words mate, simply lost for words. Amazed.
Am looking forward to the results.
Cheers, Les.
PS - check the names and entrants carefully, Taskforce 2025 and Roger Douglas could well see this as another opportunity!! In fact, I think they should enter, you never know who might end up learning from who.
<b> Brian Gaynor / Selwyn
Brian Gaynor / Selwyn Pellett / Bernard Hickey / John Walley / Lachlan McKensie : I wonder if you 5 eminent thinkers colluded to form a new political party prior to the 2011 election , I wonder if you'd rock Labour & National to their core ? For my munny , I reckon you would . Pity that it won't happen .
Roger you'd be amazed how
Roger you'd be amazed how many people share that view (that we need new political options) but it’s not a reality. Politics is a very expensive business and not for the faint hearted.
powerdownkiwi........steady on mate. I am as concerned as you are about a future with more people, finite resources and an expectation that we all have the right to do what we want in the name of neo-liberal capitalism.
When I say sustainable business it has many meanings including politically and socially sustainable. We can grow our economy on the back of green technology and resources that are light on the planet. We can’t grow it with more farming and grapes. So be careful about your black and white definitions as many of us are as concerned as you are. I know there is a transition period where people have to a) understand the resources constrained world we now live in b) throw away their old paradigms that wealth creation is not a zero sum game and c) slowly but surely start to embrace their new reality and adjust their own behavior. I have more faith in people to eventually do the right thing. It’s all a matter of education.
The Europeans are way more advanced than we are and you see it the moment you get off a plane and look at their car parks i.e. small fuel efficient cars. Similarly you see the opposite when you get off a plane in Sydney or Dulles. What’s the key difference…..a sense of entitlement that exists in both these locations. Until that is removed globally we all have a problem and that will only come through education. In the mean time we have to gradually adjust to our new world as efficiently as possible and that leaves opportunities to deliver new technology that allows the world to do more with less and why not from New Zealand.
It has been said many
It has been said many times "only rich nations save whales".
Did anyone else feel a strong sense of irony when the hi-tech carbon fibre yacht went to the bottom in the southern ocean after a collision with a much bigger steal boat?
Sorry steel boat.
Sorry steel boat.
Nice to see something positive...rather
Nice to see something positive...rather than telling them all to bugger off overseas like somebody we know who shall remain nameless.
About political parties. The trend
About political parties.
The trend to a different order in politics is already happening in Europe, where people are far more politically educated. People vote increasingly for people not for parties. A form, which challenge politicians and make them more accountable.
A NZ example:
A victim of traditional political immature people is Dr. Russell Norman one of the most valuable politicians in this country, but not accepted by others and the wider public. What a shame not listening and using he’s potential.
We do need less government/ parliamentarians and more efficiency anyway.
Good on the organisers of
Good on the organisers of this competition - an inspired and much needed elevator of the debate of this country's future
But this needs publicising in the mainstream media too - Bernard you MUST get it through in one of your Herald articles
Like you comment Selwyn 7:46pm
Like you comment Selwyn 7:46pm
Example cars:
National wide “KiwiExperience” and others Tourist bus drivers let their bus engine run for 15 minutes in front of restaurants, when in Switzerland most car drivers switch off engines in front of traffic lights and straight away when parked talking to a friend.
---
You are on the right path with your approach, when growth for Private companies then it must be sustainable.
http://www.neweconomics.org/programmes
My personal philosophy: As a nation we must become more self-sufficient and less depended on foreign capital/ knowledge/ skill and consumption. We have too many infrastructure problems, which are even compromising our national security. There is a great opportunity to produce
http://www.henderson.com/sites/henderson/sri/approach/topdowntheme/overv...
achieving better conditions, create employment and better more skillful jobs without destroying our environment.
--
I just like to say I have written many articles into this blog, mostly about economics (manufacturing and why) I always find it is important for Kiwis to see/ read the world from an European point of view – not only explaining which “Things” are better over there but also to make sure we have do to “Things” different, to make sure we do “Things” smarter here.
That’s my goal.
Walter
A simple tale for the
A simple tale for the edification of the X & Y.....de-generation.
I asked my friend's little girl what she wanted to be when she grows up.
She said she wanted to be Prime Minister some day.
Both her parents, Labour supporters, were standing there, so I asked her,
"If you were Prime Minister what would be the first thing you would do?"
She replied, "I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people."
Her parents beamed, and said, "Welcome to the Labour Party!"
"Wow...what a worthy goal!" I told her. I continued, "But you don't have to wait until you're Prime Minister to do that. You can come over to my house, mow the lawn, pull weeds, sweep my drive and I'll pay you £25.
Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out. You can give him the £25 to use toward food."
She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in
the eye and asked, "Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work and you can just pay him the £25?"
I smiled and said, "Welcome to the National Party."
Her parents still aren't speaking to me.
This is a joke of course....They are both the same Parties but different names....
They only had one motive.
Screw em all....I am all right JACK...or is that JOHN.
They BOTH say.....I will both borrow from overseas to FUND my lifestyle.
The rest can go to HELL-en and back trying to PAY down that debt.
All good comments sour -loser
All good comments sour -loser and so we do what to change it. This is one of many efforts to get a new perspective on the problems we face.
SORE-LOSER I like that...pretty well
SORE-LOSER
I like that...pretty well sums it up.
W. Kunz Says:
" The action described above is a good start to make sure the younger generation is becoming more politically involved."
Anyone remember "up the establishment" ?
The Holyoke riots?
A young generation that right or wrong stood up to change the world?
Where is it now?
Do we have now a pathetic inactive generation who the best they can do is tell their parents " I didnt ask to be born, you owe me "
In our circle of friends they children have grown up together, are students, with hons degrees, masters etc and some still studying.
Each time over the yrs I ask them "OK what are the issues at uni?" little more than blank look.....What are the latest protests going on? A blank look
"What are the activist up to?" a blank look.
There is an old saying " A country deserves to government it has"
BBs failing them?, no way, it is their own apathy that fails them.
If they cant stand up and be counted, who is going to count them?
We stood up...."up the establishment" we got counted... didnt matter if left or right wing..even into the SIS files.
Is it not strange that it is the older generations . (articule above) that has to motivate the younger to get off their butts?
I say this with all due respect to X and Y who stand up and post here, whether I agree with them or not....but posting on a blog is easy, get out on the streets and be proactive...or is the apathy of your generation so wide spread it cant happen?
Incentives Always Matter. Which is
Incentives Always Matter.
Which is why the 'fiddling around the edges' trope, often tossed carelessly at politicians who can, in reality, do little else because of the Voting Coalition of The Entitled, is so wrong.
As the UK is discovering (as though it needed a decade or two to figger it out) - minor changes to taxes and benefits Do have large ultimate effects on behaviours.
Um, and Walter - Europe is a demographic time-bomb. They don't like their life there enough to want to bring enough of the next generation into it. That's what immigrants are for. So I wouldn't be too keen to swallow the Euro Myth.
To the competitors: If you
To the competitors:
If you are reading this it might be because you are wisely doing some research. If so you will probably look at the websites associated with the panel, along with other organisations, like say, Business New Zealand. You may end up a wee bit confused when contrasting the shape of policies advocated by, say Business New Zealand, with NZMEA. Just to be clear, NZMEA is completely independent of government and is also independent of Business New Zealand and it's constituents, see:
http://www.interest.co.nz/ratesblog/index.php/2009/09/24/exchange-rate-r...
The tag line for the competition is, "Clean Sheet, New Vision". Some further advice, should you wish to take it, balance the budget, sure, but, to achieve a visionary budget, forget short-term political hamstrings, think longer term and go challenge the status quo and grasp the nettles, in a way that the last government did not and this government look like they never will.
Good luck.
Les Rudd
Invited Member
NZMEA
PS - click my name and read on.
Waymad, please read again, what
Waymad, please read again, what I wrote.
We have to learn from Europe's mistakes- do we is the question and are we smart enough to "copy" the advantages ?
Do property owners in Auckland
Do property owners in Auckland have ratepayer voting rights regardless of whether they are resident or not?
If they genuinely want a
If they genuinely want a Gen X perspective why are they targeting students? Most Gen X were out of uni 15 years ago.
@Matt in Auck, I'd have
@Matt in Auck, I'd have thought this should get covered by TV morning and 7oclock shows. Good effort, well done the organisers.
@Kakapo, I guess because X&Y are not at Uni now, but out there working their butts off to keep the BBs in the style to which they have become accustomed, and this is about helping the entrants (and others, X&Y, BBs) understand how a more equitable budget/economy/society might be achieved, for all of us, not just the generation who seem to wield the power now, which is, without doubt, the BBs. If it can help show how to fix the growing divide between the generations concerned and sort out the economy, great - because it looks to me like those in government, for a good few years now, just don't damn well care. So good on the organisers, again, well done.
Selwyn...No-body would ever implement what
Selwyn...No-body would ever implement what I would propose...A totally radical change.
It would mean pulling in the HORNS of expenditure.......and living within our means...for a while...not milking & selling off the COUNTRY like....the KEY solution.
I would make this place HUM....then....but it would mean employing GRAFTERS...not the expansion of GRIFTERS....as we have today....led by one of the best NZ example I have seen....to-date.
Our dependency on dwindling resource is a mind-set, we can ill-afford...short-term thinking...as usual.
A country of 4 million with the resources we had should be super rich.........not super-annuated...and floundering in debt.
Sore- Loser please explain in
Sore- Loser please explain in detail:
A country of 4 million with the resources we had should be super rich.
Half of the problem W.K.
Half of the problem W.K. is that half of the people currently ensconced in LA-LA-LAND (and I include the WHOLE WORLD in that statement) are on the TAKE in one form or another, whilst the other half are PAYING for their idleness and/or incompetence.
Productivity is also a joke....except in the manipulation and spin and scam industries, often carried out by the very people you should be able to TRUST.
In fact many of the idle, actually BENEFIT from the POLICIES put in place over the years to the detriment of ALL workers, rich or poor.
It is not a simple matter to reverse....this too big to fail mentality.
It is not a simple matter to explain, in a nutshell.
Economics is decried here by many. There are so many proffered THEORIES, it is un-real.
There are always reasons and points of view and vested interests.
CAPITAL GAIN is the sole theory on wealth creation....never CAPITAL.....LOSS, by design or intent or law or artifice.
Just ask a CRAFAR....or a BLUE CHIP.....victim....or a MADOFF....or GREECE.
All were SOLD a pup....one willingly....the others unwittingly....but the corrupt or incompetent are never brought to true JUSTICE.
Either way, there was no CONTROL or ethics involved.
In some case it was SOCIALLY and POLITICALLY as well as FINANCIALLY....engineered...by those who you should have been able to TRUST.
(YEAH RIGHT).
Income-petence and stupidity is often a factor.
I could itemise a list....I have many times, just concentrated on the main ones here, but the corrupt and stupid are everywhere.....hence why I .....RANT.
Just take the LEA-KEY homes fiasco as a simple problem COMPOUNDED.
Or the SUB-PRIME one, COMPOUNDED around the world.
Well the LOSS maybe at the COST of our heritage...and our future well being.
It will certainly never be at the COST of those still on the TAKE, flying around...not fixing, just perpetuating the very same problems.
The BUBBLEs may be fixed..or inflated away....(Yeah Right)....the problem is that the PROBLEM remains the very same people.
Unfortunately we have to fix the problems created, with less...there is no magic wand.
As the World shortages spiral down due to the incompetence of overuse, they multiply the effect, as we multiply the Worlds population.
I do not ever believe we will ever FIX all the PROBLEMS with the same VESTED interest PEOPLE.
They are often the PROBLEM, not the SOLUTION.
Collectively we could eliminate em.....but the will is not here.....way too fragmented.....
Half vested interest, half.....NO INTEREST....just a few small voices.
MMP here in NZ put even more idiots together....even Key panders, not fixes.
Some work around em....I do.......but it is getting harder.....not easier.
Some countries are not corrupt...I first thought New Zealand was not...it used to be simple and straight forward once.
Now it is not...I had to learn..... HOW to work around them.
Hence, why I rant.
I am a very SOUR-LOSER....
But at least I know....why.
Thank you for your explanation.
Thank you for your explanation.
I think we have to try and constantly and positively vouch for better solutions. Education is the key.
The Productive Economy Council and
The Productive Economy Council and the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA) thanks you Walter for your excellent and profound long time contribution in support of our organisations and New Zealand economy and wellbeing in general.
Signed S & J
Thank you for that –
Thank you for that – that’s nice I appreciate that. Yes, I spend long hours here. :-) :-(
Cheers Walter :-)
The world is moving fast
The world is moving fast with unexpected changes for our societies. Dealing with economics today is different, far more complex then just charts, books, % and $.
I hope you people here stop going around a circle and are starting to think and deal more about correlations and related details and how important they are for our economy to be functional.
---
Care about the tree first, before thinking of harvesting apples.
W. Kunz
----
This is my last contribution on this blog for a longer time.
Cheers Walter
Selwyn Pellett Says: April 7th,
Selwyn Pellett Says:
April 7th, 2010 at 7:46 pm OK, I'll steady on - but..........
Until we deal with population (globally and locally) no other move is valid. Be very sure of that.
I disagree - you can't grow your economy on the back of greem tech, or anything else.
Energy is the key - and it's where economists get it wrong. Energy is required to do work, peak energy equals peak work. Some of us are a mile down the adaption track, but we'll tell you it involves powering-down. Which means working down. Which means fiscalling down.
Which is why I do 20 hours or so a week, voluntary. I'm just putting it back in a way that can't be $ renumerated.
Think if everyone did an hour as a hospital orderly or whatever - what that would do to your 'tax deficit'.........
It's where it has to go. Energy (and other resource) peak meant wealth-underwriting peak, so average income gets less from here on in. Sorry, solar is good, nuclear works, but both take embedded energy to produce, neither are as compact-per-kilojoule as oil, by a country mile. The free ride upward is over.
We need not to grow out economy, but to learn how to hang on to the best parts of civilisation as we slide to an equillibrium.
I suspect that will be decided by whether a majority pitch in voluntarily, or whether the post-Prebble selfishness has become too endemic.
And I'd put money (ha) on this govt not being the one that takes us there....
cheers
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