Green Economics

Details of John Key’s transitional relief package show that National, like Labour, still falls short in terms of providing equitable assistance for all newly laid-off workers, says the Green Party.

The Green Party is welcoming National’s belated recognition that the banks have responsibilities in return for taxpayers underwriting the deposit guarantee scheme and in return for the Reserve Bank extending them lines of credit.

Everyone who loses their job deserves support, Green Party Social Development Spokesperson Sue Bradford says.

"In the face of likely recession and increasing layoffs and redundancies it is vital that people receive assistance to help tide them over."

The Aussie banks should cease exporting dividends back to their Australian parent banks while they are getting financial support from the Reserve Bank, says the Green Party.

The Green Party is calling on New Zealanders to be wary of the National/Act two-headed monster that is threatening New Zealand’s clean and green reputation, a reputation that underpins our export economy. This is in response to Key's comments about a five-headed monster.

ANZ’s $3.3 billion annual profit reinforces the Green Party’s call for a limit on dividends flowing out of New Zealand into overseas investors’ pockets, now the New Zealand taxpayer is shouldering the risks of the banking sector’s behaviour.

Today's Reserve Bank decision to cut interest rates by 1 percent when inflation is running the highest in 18 years confirms that the thinking behind monetary policy is obsolete, says the Green Party.