6 months, 6 destructive policies

Today marks 6 months in office for the Ardern-Peters Government. It has relentlessly pursued ideas that sounded good on the hustings but which will end up hurting New Zealanders. Here are six of their worst policies.

Closing charter schools

"The evidence now shows charter schools are improving engagement, innovation, and achievement for 1500 mainly Maori and Pasifika students. The Government plans to strip away educational opportunities so they can keep a promise to their union mates.

Ending oil and gas exploration

"As revealed by ACT, the Government has ended offshore oil and gas exploration without a cost-benefit analysis, consultation, or estimates of whether emissions will fall as a result. This policy will gut an industry that pays $500 million in royalties and taxes and employs 11,000 workers at peak times.

Raising the minimum wage

"Officials have told the Government that raising the minimum wage would destroy 3,000 jobs. They will be lost to exactly the people whose best hope of upskilling was a foot on the employment ladder. The Government would rather young, unskilled workers sat at home on a benefit. The job losses will be even greater as the minimum wage is raised to $20 by 2021.

90-day trials

"ACT’s policy of a 90-day trial has given thousands a start in the labour market when employers mightn’t have otherwise taken a chance on them. As if hiking the minimum wage didn’t destroy enough opportunity, this policy will make hiring staff more risky, leading to fewer jobs overall.

Fees-free

“A $275 million subsidy for generally well-off kids who would have gone to university anyway and who will earn much more over their lives than non-graduates. ACT revealed last month that the first-year drop-out rate of 14 per cent will mean New Zealanders can except $38 million of their taxes to deliver exactly nothing.

Foreign buyer ban

“An unworkable disaster of a bill. There’s no evidence house prices will fall as a result of this ban. The bill will restrict new construction by making foreign-owned construction companies jump through regulatory hoops. As Eric Crampton has pointed out, the bill doesn't just target overseas speculators - a British doctor moving to Greymouth on a work visa would not be able to buy a house. The bill further harms our reputation as a place to do business."

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