What to expect in the first 100 days of Jacinda Ardern-led government?
New Zealanders are being warned in advance about the winds of change coming their way, possibly at a whirlwind speed, in the first 100 days of Jacinda Ardern led new government.
There is an unmistakable sense of urgency in the comments, speeches, and body language of Prime Minister-designate Jacinda Ardern and the key members of this new incoming government about the possible changes in the direction of the government within the first 100 days.
According to Ms Ardern’s own admission, the new government would act fast to implement Labour Party’s families package, tertiary education policy and the minimum wage increase.
Here are explanations of few major policy areas that this government intends to act expeditiously in the first 100 days.
Minimum Wage Increase
The incoming government has already announced that it will raise the minimum wage from $15.75 an hour to $16.50 next year, and then to $20 by April 2021.
The decision has been widely welcomed by trade unions and workers unions, although raising some concerns in the business community and among farmers about meeting higher costs.
Experts are yet not unanimous on the realistic impact of this decision on the efficacy of running businesses profitably and funding the additional cost of the increase in wages.
Tax Breaks for small business to offset increase in minimum wages
Immediately after announcing an increase in the minimum wages, the incoming government has signalled considering tax breaks for small businesses to bear the cost of an increase in minimum wages without affecting the viability of businesses.
This consideration has given some strength to the naysayers of increase in minimum wages, though it’s very early days to draw any conclusion.
But it’s not yet clear if this will surely be looked into the first 100 days of the government.
Housing
Housing is one area where this government intends to move very fast, although Prime Minister-designate has sought to rationalise the huge expectations set earlier by their Party’s election promise of building 100,000 affordable houses in the next 10 years.
Local MP from Te Atatu, Phil Twyford has been appointed as the Housing Minister, and he has already announced a commitment to start building Kiwibuild houses as soon as possible.
Earlier today, Twyford has revealed to the Herald the first in-depth details of the incoming Government's new $2 billion KiwiBuild scheme, explaining how 100,000 new residences will be built in the next decade.
Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill
The incoming government would be passing the healthy homes guarantee bill which will require all rentals to be warm and dry.
It’s not yet clear how would homeowners plan to bear this additional cost, if any, without sharing the burden with the tenants.
Families Income Package
As a commitment to Labour’s families income package, the incoming government would be scrapping off the already legislated $2.2 million Tax cut.
Families Package includes a $60 a week Best Start payment for families with babies and toddlers.
The Family package calculator on the Party’s website reveals that families on lower annual household incomes of $65000 with one child between 3-12 year would be eligible for only $1 per week.
A family on an annual income of $50000 with one child (between 3-12) would be eligible to get $44 per week ($2,302 every year) and the same family with two children would be getting $71 per week ($3696 every year).
Baby Boost
All parents will receive $60 a week for each child in their first year, once paid parental leave had ended.
For those families earning less than $79,000 a year, the payments would continue until the child turned three and will begin to abate at a rate of 20.8c/$1 above the threshold.
The paid parental leave would be extended from 22 to 26 weeks starting from July 1, 2018.
Education
The incoming government plans to immediately intervene to realise their election promise of free tertiary education by 2021 with making the first year of free from January 1, 2018.
This will be for domestic tertiary and returning students (international students would not be eligible for this waiver).
Increase student allowances and living cost loans by $50 a week from January 1, 2018 (only domestic students are eligible).
New Zealanders are being warned in advance about the winds of change coming their way, possibly at a whirlwind speed, in the first 100 days of Jacinda Ardern led new government.
There is an unmistakable sense of urgency in the comments, speeches, and body language of Prime Minister-designate...
New Zealanders are being warned in advance about the winds of change coming their way, possibly at a whirlwind speed, in the first 100 days of Jacinda Ardern led new government.
There is an unmistakable sense of urgency in the comments, speeches, and body language of Prime Minister-designate Jacinda Ardern and the key members of this new incoming government about the possible changes in the direction of the government within the first 100 days.
According to Ms Ardern’s own admission, the new government would act fast to implement Labour Party’s families package, tertiary education policy and the minimum wage increase.
Here are explanations of few major policy areas that this government intends to act expeditiously in the first 100 days.
Minimum Wage Increase
The incoming government has already announced that it will raise the minimum wage from $15.75 an hour to $16.50 next year, and then to $20 by April 2021.
The decision has been widely welcomed by trade unions and workers unions, although raising some concerns in the business community and among farmers about meeting higher costs.
Experts are yet not unanimous on the realistic impact of this decision on the efficacy of running businesses profitably and funding the additional cost of the increase in wages.
Tax Breaks for small business to offset increase in minimum wages
Immediately after announcing an increase in the minimum wages, the incoming government has signalled considering tax breaks for small businesses to bear the cost of an increase in minimum wages without affecting the viability of businesses.
This consideration has given some strength to the naysayers of increase in minimum wages, though it’s very early days to draw any conclusion.
But it’s not yet clear if this will surely be looked into the first 100 days of the government.
Housing
Housing is one area where this government intends to move very fast, although Prime Minister-designate has sought to rationalise the huge expectations set earlier by their Party’s election promise of building 100,000 affordable houses in the next 10 years.
Local MP from Te Atatu, Phil Twyford has been appointed as the Housing Minister, and he has already announced a commitment to start building Kiwibuild houses as soon as possible.
Earlier today, Twyford has revealed to the Herald the first in-depth details of the incoming Government's new $2 billion KiwiBuild scheme, explaining how 100,000 new residences will be built in the next decade.
Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill
The incoming government would be passing the healthy homes guarantee bill which will require all rentals to be warm and dry.
It’s not yet clear how would homeowners plan to bear this additional cost, if any, without sharing the burden with the tenants.
Families Income Package
As a commitment to Labour’s families income package, the incoming government would be scrapping off the already legislated $2.2 million Tax cut.
Families Package includes a $60 a week Best Start payment for families with babies and toddlers.
The Family package calculator on the Party’s website reveals that families on lower annual household incomes of $65000 with one child between 3-12 year would be eligible for only $1 per week.
A family on an annual income of $50000 with one child (between 3-12) would be eligible to get $44 per week ($2,302 every year) and the same family with two children would be getting $71 per week ($3696 every year).
Baby Boost
All parents will receive $60 a week for each child in their first year, once paid parental leave had ended.
For those families earning less than $79,000 a year, the payments would continue until the child turned three and will begin to abate at a rate of 20.8c/$1 above the threshold.
The paid parental leave would be extended from 22 to 26 weeks starting from July 1, 2018.
Education
The incoming government plans to immediately intervene to realise their election promise of free tertiary education by 2021 with making the first year of free from January 1, 2018.
This will be for domestic tertiary and returning students (international students would not be eligible for this waiver).
Increase student allowances and living cost loans by $50 a week from January 1, 2018 (only domestic students are eligible).
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