A new kind of politics in New Zealand

We need to build a new kind of politics in New Zealand.  A new kind of politics that builds a cross-party consensus on major areas of policy and ensures policy lasts beyond any one Government.   That is easy to say, much harder to do.  And the incentives for doing so for the existing political establishment are tiny compared with the disincentives.  

There are several areas where this is important.  Productivity, Poverty, Justice, Climate Change and Superannuation and savings.

Productivity.  The Government has recently created a "Productivity Commission".  Is improving productivity just a desire of the right?  No.  Productivity includes issues such as education, training, research and development etc.  Surely there are several things the left and right can agree on in terms of productivity and surely that should be the starting point for any discussion.  Perhaps if we had a productivity commission the "Fast Forward" package would not have been scrapped?  Unfortunately, National made a mistake in appointing Don Brash to that post - it would have been much better to appoint someone that had the confidence of both Government and Opposition.

Poverty.  If we are to have a "Productivity Commission", why not have a "Poverty Commission"?  Is it just the left who want to eliminate poverty?  No, I would hope not.  Perhaps there are several areas where Labour and National can agree in terms of eliminating poverty?  I believe we should commit to eliminate all poverty in New Zealand and ensure our policy settings (tax, welfare) are changed to ensure that happens.  That is not going to be agreed to by all parties, but I am sure there are some areas of agreement.

Justice.  Recently debate raged over Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias comment. There are clearly major challenges in this area of policy. National and Labour are never going to agree on major areas of justice policy but why not start a conversation about the areas where we do agree?  Why not create a cross-party consensus on youth offending and lower-level offending and how our justice system deals with those people and bring the media on board to agree some voluntary guidelines for reporting crime?

Climate Change.  Climate Change is another area that is too important to leave to the whim of whoever is in power.  We need some agreed targets and agreed policy that will last beyond any one Government.  It is encouraging to see the possibility of a long lasting "grand coalition" consensus on the emissions trading scheme.

Superannuation and savings.  The Labour-led Government from 1999 made major inroads in this area (the "Once Was Cullen Fund" and "Kiwisaver").  They have survived to some extent, but have also been massively undermined putting future superannuation at risk, and reducing the potential pool of investment by New Zealanders in New Zealand.  We have to stop playing politics with superannuation and come up with a model that both major parties will agree to keep and not change.  The foundations are there (Kiwisaver still exists as does the "Once Was Cullen Fund").

You can probably think of more areas where a broad cross-party consensus is desired.

Of course, there are plenty of reasons why this might not happen.  Crime and justice are big vote winners for the right and perfect wedge issues.  There are dangers for Labour in endorsing a productivity commission (particularly now that Don Brash is in charge of it).  Removing some things from the political arena could dilute party brands, reduce options in terms of political tactics and prevent broad debate and the generation of and contesting of ideas.

Having said that there is much to be gained by having (in some areas at least) a united front for the country to rally around.  But it will require some brave and bold politics from both Labour and National.

Comments

[George D]

Is Phil Goff going to do any of this?

[sceptical]

Funny that his comments come when the left are no longer in power.

[Cherie]

I think that a new kind of politics is needed, why not establish a poverty commission? Theres common ground between the political parties to reach agreement on a number of issues.

[Tony Milne]

George - no idea (although there seems to be movement in that direction on ETS). These are my views not those of Labour or anyone else.

Sceptical - if you have followed my blog for long you'll know that this blog represents my views and my views do not always coincide with the Labour Parliamentary team. And if you look back at previous posts, you'll see I have said similar things (even when Labour was in Government).

[George D]

Good luck at the conference Tony, I hope you get some progress on these and other issues!