We are often reminded what a wasteful society we are. How much food do we chuck out of the fridge when it is still edible? We throw away clothes without saving buttons. We’re slack about separating recycling from rubbish.
Since the coalition government took over the reins, we have heard a lot about waste, specifically a so-called bloated public service wasting too much of taxpayers’ money. The ensuing cull has left several thousand public servants without a job, though the exact number is difficult to determine and depends who you listen to.
It seemed somewhat inevitable, then, that the microscope might eventually be turned on politicians themselves. What has come as a surprise is that the driving force behind the move is none other than Act New Zealand leader and deputy prime minister-in-waiting David Seymour.
In his latest scheme, the Act leader suggests more bloat is afflicting the government’s ministerial lineup, and that there are too many ministers with small areas of responsibility and “meaningless titles”.
He says there are 82 ministerial portfolios distributed among 28 ministers, with 41 separate government departments. Instead, he wants just 20 ministers and all of them to be in Cabinet. There would be no associate ministers, except for in finance.
At the same time, there would be a cut in the number of departments to 30.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon rejects Mr Seymour’s assertions that some portfolios amount to just symbolism and there are too many. He also points out the uncomfortable reality of Act’s Regulation Ministry.
Mr Seymour’s beef is with ministerial roles which do admittedly seem to have mushroomed in recent years, such as hospitality, hunting and fishing, and space.
There may be some merit in the idea of getting back to basics on the ministerial front, but it is unclear how much.
And it leaves a bit of a sour taste that Mr Seymour’s proposal is quite at odds with his pet ministry, whose average salaries of $150,320 continue to be well above those for the sector of marginally above $100,000.
Fantasy world
Separating fact from fiction in United States President Donald Trump’s mind seems to be a forlorn hope, with the world constantly awaiting the next random pronouncement.
This week it is about the film industry; more accurately, about protecting the US film industry and bringing back the glory days of Hollywood. To do that, Mr Trump has written a new screenplay, one in which any films coming into the States from outside will attract a tariff of 100%.
Movie makers and producers across the world, including here, are aghast at what this could do to their industries. In New Zealand, which has hosted a range of productions and offered tax incentives for film companies to work with our talented industry and use our breathtaking landscapes, there is understandable angst over the damage it could do to a burgeoning sector worth several billion dollars a year.
Wisely, the government and sector members, while stating their concern, are not rushing to react. A co-ordinated effort to push back is needed here, that’s if the government has the courage to take on the Trump administration.
Another good reason to avoid any knee-jerk reactions is we have seen how that can inflame the situation. It is entirely possible, after all, that Mr Trump’s attention will meander on to something else and he will back down after saying he will never back down.
In recent days he has also announced his intention to reopen the notorious Alcatraz prison, a seemingly impenetrable fortress island in the middle of San Francisco Bay which is now a tourist attraction.
The prison was closed in 1963 because it cost three times more to run than any other federal jail. Now Mr Trump, in his wisdom, wants it back in use for incarcerating the most ruthless and violent offenders.
Might it be possible there could be cells coming vacant there for some high-profile politicians in about three and a-half years time?
