Have Nats run out of good ideas?

Just recently, we complimented Simon Bridges and his National Party for appearing to set up a genuine contest of ideas in the run-up to next year’s election.

Bridges threatened to ‘‘light a regulations bonfire’’, offered cuts to corporate and possibly personal tax, and issued a warning to unions.

He also indicated the party would look at lifting the age of superannuation eligibility.

The announcements appeared to be a recognition that, if National and its leader couldn’t win on personality, they would turn to the arsenal of policy and ideology. But another recent announcement has us wondering how far right Bridges and National are prepared to go, and how deep is their conviction in exploring new waters.

According to its leader, the party is considering fines of $3000 for the parents of children who drop out of school without further education or a job in their sights.

National’s idea – and it is only something the party is considering – has a number of flaws.

How far does parental responsibility extend, especially when we are talking about young adults close to the end of their schooling – the same young people agitating for the right to vote at age 16. Many are able to do many other things at that age without their parents’ permission and can claim – often do, in fact – a certain measure of autonomy.

Education is clearly important, but it’s doubtful that pinging parents working hard to motivate struggling young adults will make that effort any easier. Or successful.

Some young adults will have legitimate reasons for taking a break from life’s conveyor belt.

It’s worth asking, too, just what problem National is trying to solve. Bridges says it is worried about intergenerational poverty and joblessness, but this country is close to full employment, with the jobless rate just 4.2 per cent.

Rather than the stick of sanction, National could offer more carrots, especially in those regions where jobs are harder to come by, especially for young people who struggle to see a future.

Most importantly, the stick doesn’t appear to work.

Legislation already allows for a fine of up to $3000 for laggard parents of truant schoolchildren. But there are few prosecutions, and truancy is rising.

The problem, say principals, is a lack of support for the parents, the schools and their communities.

Maybe the issue National is really trying to address is its own relevance.

Rather than indicating some deeper thought on what is a complex issue, it appears to have drained the swamp of good ideas and instead issued an oversimplified Trump-like tweet designed to secure votes, rather than children’s futures.

At the end of a television interview on the subject, Bridges was overheard saying, ‘‘We have to be adventurous to get in the news.’’

That’s understood. Soundbites are important for politicians. But the public really needs sound policies.

It’s worth asking just what problem National is trying to solve ... Maybe the issue it is really trying to address is its own relevance.