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Income inequality at record high - Greens

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'Record high' income inequality

3News NZ

Greens co-leader Russel Norman

Greens co-leader Russel Norman

New evidence shows middle income families are worse off under National and income inequality is at a record high, the Greens say.

Co-leader Russel Norman is citing the Ministry of Social Development's latest household incomes report, produced annually.

"It shows that incomes for middle income New Zealanders fell, only the wealthiest saw their incomes rise and that inequality is at its highest level ever," he said on Thursday.

"It proves what the average mum and dad and their family has felt for a while - they are financially worse off under this government."

Dr Norman says the report shows the income of mid-range families fell by three percent, while cuts to the top tax rate helped high income earners.

"Middle New Zealand is being ground down by Government policies... it is deeply concerning that our society has never been as unequal as it is today."

NZN

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Comments

30/08/2012 8:17:56 p.m.

fmacskasy.wordpress.com wrote:

"David wrote: The Greens need to stop whinging about poverty in this country when the real poverty is in third world nations, where people are literally wasting away due to starvation." Dave, you need to grow up. Seriously, dude. Your simplistic nonsense is the sort of naive rubbish one would expect from a 10 year old. It's obvious you've led such a shelted life you haven't a clue what's going on around you.

29/08/2012 11:56:08 a.m.

big picture wrote:

the wage gap in most countries is huge but then as humans we have to have something to strive for, some want careers,some want famalies,some want to save the world, we all have our final goals but in todays world we are all in it together

28/08/2012 2:51:50 p.m.

Tom wrote:

In Parliament today, John Key said pay parity had improved under National based on the figures received from the National average wage. The only reason the numbers look god is because they lump the ten percenters into the equation most of who earn one million plus a year. If we take out the top earners you will find how bad the average wage really is and why it is about forty percent behind Australia.

25/08/2012 9:06:49 a.m.

Chris wrote:

Shearer told Grey Power recently that he belives people on benefits 'rip the tax payer off when they are working and claiming a benefit at the same time'. Could not agree more. Good on you Shearer. Good to see you thinking like a hard working reality based capitalist - you and Mallard, who blogged, 'its unfair to tax hard working Kiwis then give it to people who don't want to work' are showing your true colours. Excellent - there are some smart people in Labour after all. DAVID - if you start thinking like your Labour Leader and his senior MP does, you will become a better person too and more reality based ie in life you have to work for your money. Good on you Shearer and Mallard.

25/08/2012 7:07:46 a.m.

Mike wrote:

Take NZ average income, income on min wage, income on welfare. Now put it in international terms like US$ and compare it to overseas like the USA/UK/EU/Japan

Now look at it in 2005/2008/2011.

What you will see if you stop listening to the blind faithful is that over the last three years NZ has had real increases inaverage wage, min wage, even welfare in international terms.

Sure Idiotacre and other Labour paid mouthpieces dont have the skills to google, let alone find their own nose with their own finger. But look the figures up. The world is in recession, and one like idiotacre are wanting 50% increases over 3 years in min wage because the price of food has risen soo much - like 0 this last year!

Labour forgets to tell us that when they lifted the tax rate to 39% that tax bracket collected less tax than it had at the lower rate - and that was in boom years! With income tax, GST, ACC etc the actual effective tax rate for the high income earners is still around 45%, just the ones who believe money grows on trees thingk that if you have 1 rich person earning like $1 million, you can magically tax them to pay billions in expenditure. It may work for an opposition spokesperson, but it has never worked in practice.

Offer free lunches, and demand will exceed supply - basic economics.

Jobs come from capital, and capital comes from wealth/savings. Squeeze it too much and less savings/capital will cost jobs.

24/08/2012 6:56:36 p.m.

David wrote:

@Dan actually our health system is rated very poorly internationally. I also said that our standard of living was the poorest of all developed countries. That this has been worsened by John Key with Tax cuts and benefit restrictions. Its reality Dan... you may live in a fantasy world where you think our health system is tops but let me tell you this... its rated on par with third world countries. Our education system was rated second best in the world... until National introduced the one thing that has dragged the ratings of school systems around the world... chartered schools. Where National give out funding to cult groups like Destiny church and the exclusive Brethren. Ever heard the saying "living in a bubble"? that describes you perfectly Dan... you dont seem to know much about the real New Zealand. Ask any doctor how our health system compares internationally.. they will tell you as they have me... it compares badly.

23/08/2012 11:57:23 p.m.

lani wrote:

Anyone earning over $70,000 is being taxed at the disproportionately low rate of 33% tax NO MATTER HOW MUCH ABOVE $70,000 they make. That's the lowest rate of tax for uppermost income earners amongst all OECD countries. We say that we have a 'proportional' and therefore 'fair' tax system, and for income earned up to $70,000, it mostly is. But those earning above $70,000 are not paying their fair share, and are leaving lower and middle income earners bearing a disproportionate tax burden. Campaign on this issue has started -keep eye out for petition. It would be good to hear some intelligent debate from the right about what they see as the solutions to inequality in this country (and to poverty in developing countries). Vitriolic attacks on parties and general politician-bashing is an easy sport, and throwing around terms like 'commie' is emotive and lazy politics. Debating policy requires skill, and hopefully, if left and right can both contribute, will result in strong policy.

23/08/2012 7:31:51 p.m.

Brad wrote:

Of course the far right-wingnuts are at it again baseless smearing of the Greens (who are simply stating the facts (look up the "gini coefficient" and see that NZ is not equal to 3rd world counties in inequality)

23/08/2012 5:38:56 p.m.

Dan wrote:

@ David and Digby: so our standard for success will from now on be measured against third world nations? Really? Well in that case I guess there's nothing left to strive for. We have better healthcare, education and infrastructure than them so why bother trying to improve it? Let's never build another road, let's never try to improve our education or healthcare systems because compared to third world nations we are doing just fine. Ridiculous? Yes your points certainly are aren't they.

23/08/2012 5:20:33 p.m.

David wrote:

The Greens need to stop whinging about poverty in this country when the real poverty is in third world nations, where people are literally wasting away due to starvation.