Like I said, don’t get your hopes up. DPF rates Key’s Opening Statement to Parliament with a “B”. I’d give it a “C”, although I’m tempted to give it a D (i.e. fail), because Key has simply disregarded the Tax Working Group and 2025 Taskforce’s recommendations (his reactions to Capital Markets will be out next week).

Key ought to have done something about the tax status of property. That would’ve given the government better leverage to to get income, trust and corporate tax rates down (NB: I’m not totally convinced of the need for a land tax, but think LAQCs should go). Increasing GST to cut income tax was a good move, but there is little mention of cutting spending save for better enforcement of welfare rules. To do it, Key will break a promise on not increasing GST. He should’ve broken his promises on superannuation thresholds and the age of eligibility.

Bernard Hickey is saying I should get a one-way ticket to Australia because of Key’s failure to introduce a land tax. Personally I’d rather do what my parents did in the 70s and go earn the big money in Europe to save. Or join my mates in Hong Kong or Singapore. But I digress…

Back to Gotcha