A lack of understanding of the purpose of taxes
Tonight (23.5.25) I watched our Minister of Finance say: "a little less money going to the tax man is a good thing".
Out of context, yes, but typical of this government's inability to understand the purpose of tax, which is to provide revenue for public and social services which can never be self-funding.
Most low-income earners are taxed at source, so they do not have the luxury of choosing to evade their share of social responsibility.
Nicola Willis is encouraging even that group to regard tax as an imposition. How can we build a just society with this childlike attitude to economic necessity?
User pays is not an option for those who can't afford it.
Less assumption please
Thanks to Peter Walsh for bringing up the issue of non-permit holders misusing mobility permit carparks on May 10: "Misuse of mobility parks frustrates permit holder."
Often, I am unable to access facilities because people are blocking the carparks that I depend on. This is also particularly common at the Esplanade.
I would like to add to Mr Walsh's point that it is important to keep in mind that not all disabilities are visible and that someone might look young and capable but has a medical condition, injury or disability that impacts their mobility without having any obvious signs. I have been harassed at mobility carparks even though I was displaying my permit, because I didn't "look disabled".
These incidents are very stressful and affect me: I feel anxious about using the mobility carparks and as a consequence avoid accessing places that I need to go to. A little less assumption would go a long way.
Focus on your job
I think there will be growing concern among potential Dunedin City Council submitters regarding the judgement criteria of the three "walk out" councillors. Barry Williams made an abhorrent racist remark over 20 months ago and even in his official capacity still can’t get an audience with the renegade trio.
In their eyes how long should his punishment be? What’s the threshold, Is it racism only or will unpaid parking fines also get you walked out on?
What is the underlying message this walkout sends to the public? Is it fair to suggest that after a very public censuring process that Mr Williams reflected on his words, learnt from his mistakes and changed his thinking and ways?
Apparently not as far as the walkout trio are concerned. They appear to hold a grudge, not be prepared give the benefit of the doubt and seek to publicly humiliate the man 20 months later.
Given that in this trio of wannabe judges there are central government endorsed candidates and against the backdrop of a country with open wounds that we all want healed this sends out the entirely wrong message. One of unforgiveness, belief that people can’t change, ongoing retribution and an unwillingness to find a way to move forward.
We would be far better served if they just focused on the job they were elected to do and leave judgement and justice to the legal system.
Gaza invasion a war crime to be condemned
Thank you to the ODT for today’s editorial (21.5.25) headlined "Shame on you Mr Netanyahu".
The acts of the Israeli government are inhumane and go against international law — they are war crimes.
I was also encouraged to read that New Zealand has joined 22 other countries in calling for Israel to immediately allow the resumption of aid into Gaza.
I urge and implore our prime minister and foreign minister to go much further, to show leadership and condemn — in the strongest terms — Israel’s appalling genocide of the Palestinian people, invasion and obliteration of Gaza, and occupation of the West Bank.
I also urge the government to close the Israeli embassy here in New Zealand with immediate effect.
The world cannot simply stand aside and watch as the Israeli government continues and even increases its merciless assault on the people of Palestine, and the ruination of Gaza in particular.
If we do, we are complicit. New Zealand must stand up and speak out.
So far at least 52,000 people in Gaza are reported to have been killed by the Israeli military, innocent civilians, many women and children.
Many thousands more are maimed, injured, sick and starving.
The Hamas attack of October 7 is also to be condemned, but it needs to be viewed in light of the decades of Israel’s land confiscation and subjugation of Palestinians.
It does not justify Israel’s disproportionate and brutal annihilation of a people, flattening of houses, schools and hospitals, and cruelly cutting off vital food aid and medical supplies.
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@odt.co.nz
