A nation is not a business

Robert Bicker’s letter ‘‘PM out of her depth’’ (April 4) suggests a business model for government. He might like to reflect on the need for mass replacement of railway tracks following years of neglect by Toll; or perhaps Mainzeal or Brierley Investments or the builders of leaky homes and hospitals were his ideal companies?

While businesses are a vital element, a country is not a business; it is a society, where human beings need to be nurtured. All politicians have fallen short on wise decisionmaking for generations, particularly neglecting state and private housing needs. No political party has all the answers, but at least some progress has been made under Jacinda Ardern’s leadership. I also would like to see some things happen faster, but reverting to ACT’s discredited Friedmanite philosophies, or the fragmented National Party’s ‘‘Milton Friedman Lite’’ is not a solution.

We must fend off globalist asset-strippers.

Hugh Webb, Hamilton

Bicker opines ‘‘there’s only one way to run a country, that’s as a business’’.

Some, including myself, would say wrong. Bicker could search the internet and he might change his opinion. I have.

Ken Martin, Lower Hutt

Bureaucracy failure

Re: ‘‘ ‘Gobsmacking’ delays before damning mental health report’’ (News, April 4). Prior to her role as deputy directorgeneral of health, Robyn Shearer was employed within the Ministry as the deputy directorgeneral of mental health and addiction.

The overarching legislation concerning the performance of public servants during Shearer’s tenure in these roles was the State Sector Act 1988. This act expects those in the public service to be imbued with the spirit of service to the community, maintain appropriate standards of integrity and conduct and to be driven by a culture of excellence and efficiency.

That it took Shearer months to get around to reading the report suggests that she did not want her own performance to be found wanting.

Julie Hopcroft, Feilding

Refund me, ACC

‘‘Claim ACC penalises working over-65s’’ (News, April 4). Interesting. I’ve never had an income-related claim on ACC. Or any other ACC claim I can recall. My sole interaction with them has been the excitement of opening the envelope containing my annual ACC premium account.

As a healthy, way over 65, fulltime worker, the fact that I no longer qualify for income-related compensation has never been brought to my attention. If those who retire from the workforce at age 65 continue to receive ACC ‘compensations’ (other than work income related), presumably funded via their pensions, why am I still being billed by ACC for a service they will no longer provide me?

Best of luck with your discrimination claim, John Evans . . . if you aren’t being discriminated against in respect of income-related compensation, it would appear we both are being discriminated against in respect of being billed for services we can no longer access. I’d like my premiums from age 65 to date (about $11,000) back please, ACC. Shout your team a dozen pack of Steinlager from my refund cheque.

D B Smith, Napier

Thank you, Martin Van Beynen and the Sunday Star-Times for the article relating to ACC entitlements for the over-65s. .

Could I please emphasise this is a social issue and I will not benefit personally in any way.

It was done with the present workforce in mind and generations to come as the inequality will only increase over time.

As outlined in the article I was not eligible for legal aid and I have also written to Minister for Seniors Ayesha Verrall for assistance in this matter, and at the time of writing have not received a response.

While I acknowledge cut-off points are very subjective and arbitrary, I have also proposed that any ACC premiums paid by over-65s be tax deductible for income purposes.

This would go some considerable distance in ameliorating the excess fees ACC generates on the over-65s.

John Evans, Christchurch

Rethinking rail

Many older residents of Auckland would no doubt remember former mayor Sir Dove Meyer Robinson. He actually went to London and studied the Underground, but on his return the Auckland council rejected his rapid rail proposal. Now the city has a traffic problem.

Now we see that a light and heavy rail system has been designed at quadruple the cost.

What I would like to see is a bullet train from Auckland to Wellington, seven days a week, via Te Kuiti, New Plymouth, Whanganui and Palmerston North.

Tom Stephens, New Plymouth

Go the underdogs

I never watch Crusaders games as they always win, but last weekend I heard they had a big loss so, without knowing the score from the Highlanders