Please, spend our money wisely
Government in its various forms seems to be impacting our lives more than ever. At both a local and national level, we have seen a rapid growth over recent years in the role government seeks to play.
I have to say that I am not a fan of an expanding government.
Its activities should focus on creating a better society for everyone. High-quality services, outstanding healthcare, aspirational education, efficient law and order and proactive support for those who need help. The delivery and operation of infrastructure such as transport and protection of our key industries such as agriculture, fisheries and tourism, should all fall within the government’s sphere.
And in all that they do, they should seek to be respectful of the fact that every dollar they decide to spend comes from the pockets of the working people they are serving.
That money is delivered through taxes at a national level and property rates at a local level.
Unfortunately, I feel our elected officials have forgotten that very simple premise. Furthermore, beyond the provision of those necessities required for a society to function properly, government is seldom the best provider of solutions. They are frequently overweight bureaucracies, more focused on political correctness and ministerial reporting than they cent of the total cost) on the petrol we put in our cars and another 10 cents per litre if you happen to fuel up in Auckland.
And don’t forget GST of 15 per cent on everything we buy.
If you’re a property owner, local authorities will sting you for rates.
As has been well reported, the Tax Working Group has made a pitch for us to pay more tax. Their proposals include what would become, if adopted, the most draconian capital gains tax in the world. They talk about it being revenue neutral. In other words, they will give back the additional revenue they collect. But that won’t happen.
The Tax Working Group have also suggested some other new taxes, such as congestion charges to help fund the roads (which is what the petrol tax is meant to do), and environmental taxes to help us meet the climate change obligations we have signed up to.
It sounds like more money down the drain for most of us.
I suspect that we wouldn’t mind paying more if we had more confidence in the people who are spending it on our behalf. If only they cautiously went about their duties while treating our money as if it were their own.
But of course, that won’t happen either.
Bruce Cotterill is a five-time CEO and current company chairman and director. He is the author of The Best Leaders Don’t Shout.