Election 2008 Dunedin North and Dunedin South candidates respond to your questions.
AS part of The Star 's Election '08 coverage we offered all candidates standing in the Dunedin South and Dunedin North electorates the opportunity to answer some written questions compiled by The Star readers and The Star and Otago Chamber of Commerce staff. Candidates' answers were limited to 100 words per question in this week's The Star and were edited where necessary. Their extended answers are shown here.
THE QUESTIONS
1. Rail What are the chances of restoring a commuter rail service between Mosgiel and Dunedin during the next electoral term, and what is your medium/long-term vision for commuter/passenger rail services through Dunedin and the South? (Brighton resident Lorraine Johnston)
2. Taxation Will your party repeal taxation on unearned capital gain on foreign income that is in Taxation (Business Taxation and Remedial Matters) Act 2007, section 11, Foreign Investment Fund Income. (John Horrocks, Mornington)
3. Crime How would you address the escalation in violent crime, including domestic violence, in this country? (Business and Professional Women's group Dunedin/The Star/Chamber of Commerce)
4. Power What energy policies would you champion and what would you do to help Dunedin in terms of its old, cold homes? (The Star/Chamber of Commerce)
5. Health What is your opinion of population-based funding and what changes, if any, would you make to the current health system? (The Star/Chamber of Commerce)
6. Stadium Do you support the proposed Awatea St stadium? (The Star/Chamber of Commerce)
THE ANSWERS
1. Rail
The chances of restoring passenger rail depends on who is elected. National and Labour aren't committed to the type of forward thinking change required to make a difference. It is obvious that fuel costs and environmental pressures mean that serious investment in public transport is immediately required. The Alliance supports a high-quality, low-cost public transport system where rail plays a central role and would work towards this throughout New Zealand. The Alliance has always advocated for this policy and will continue to do so. A vote for the conservative, establishment parties will ensure nothing happens. A vote for the Alliance is a vote for public transport and rail.
2. Taxation
No plan to do so. In more general terms regarding taxation, Alliance supports a capital gains tax on investment property (not the family home) and a financial transactions tax, along with taxation on large inheritances and casino profits. We would reduce income tax on low to medium incomes, and quickly phase out GST, as part of a comprehensive and costed progressive taxation system which can be viewed online at http://alliance.org.nz/2008-election/alliance-party-proposed-budget/
The goal is to provide relief for the most vulnerable families and to raise funds for investment in education, health, housing and infrastructure.
3. Crime
Any society which permits a great level of inequality and instability will result in the breakdown of social and family relationships and the rise in violence. This is a worldwide pattern. This is made worse in New Zealand by an aggressive social culture, the hard man attitude and abuse of substances, especially alcohol. There is no simple answer, but the only long-term solution lies in creating a caring society where we do not allow young people to slip through the cracks. Building more jails is a national tragedy and we should consider the end result of nations like the USA which have high levels of imprisonment and high levels of violent crime. The Alliance is committed to an adequately resourced police force that works with the community to prevent problems and provide speedy responses to crimes. We will establish a Victims Compensation Board to oversee a fund to help victims of crime. Young people under 18 years will not be incarcerated with adults and will be kept in a special environment. Full employment; secure jobs with regular hours; a reduction in shift work and casualised jobs; better pay; an end to the 24-hour, profit-driven society; higher investment in quality housing, education and health care; an improvement in wages and living standards in the poorest and most vulnerable communities is the only answer to creating a stable society where the causes of criminal behaviour are dealt with.
4. Power
I am constantly amazed at the low-quality of housing in Dunedin and having lived through a few winters in flats in younger years think this is a serious issue. I am also amazed at how we supposedly can afford luxury sports stadiums, but can't seem to invest in warm and dry homes for people to live in. Leaving it to the market ensures the well off have cosy homes and the poor freeze. This is an issue that is at the heart of Alliance policies. As long as our energy system is driven by profit, rather than social need, then these problems will remain. The Alliance will take back electricity into public ownership and community control. The Alliance will increase the number of state houses being built to ensure adequate supply of quality affordable housing. We will help councils and other agencies providing pensioner flats and social housing with loans at below market interest rates, but only if rents are set at less than 25% of household income. We will establish a public housing construction agency employing builders and apprentices to build state houses and to modernise and insulate existing state houses.
The Alliance will introduce price controls on supply of electricity and gas to residential customers. The Alliance will take major steps to improve energy efficiency and reduce relative use of electricity. The Alliance supports subsidised home insulation.
5. Health
No specific policy on population-based funding. The Alliance is committed to keeping remaining rural hospitals open and plan hospital services so that 90% of New Zealanders are less than 60 minutes away by road. The Alliance goal is quality and free public health care for all New Zealanders. The Alliance would increase health funding over three years from 6.8% to 8% of GDP and seek an agreement with other parties to maintain it at that level. We would immediately add spending of $1.4 billion to our public health service. This means free doctors' consultations, the removal of prescription charges and reduced waiting lists, free hearing and eye tests and free dental check-ups. We will make child health a national priority. We will change the election and appointment system for District Health Board members to ensure meaningful community control.
6. Stadium
No public funding for the Awatea Street Stadium. I have been active in the campaign to stop public funding of the stadium and have served on the committee of the Stop the Stadium group. The Alliance is opposed as a party as well. In the current dire economic climate, to continue with the public funding of this project is gross irresponsibility. There are far greater priorities we need to focus on and invest our limited funds in. The lack of leadership from local political figures and weasel words on this issue has been a shocker.