The call for GST exemptions on food is a regular feature of New Zealand politics, but it’s far from the simple cost of living solution many seem to think it is.
Lisa Marriott, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
A wealth tax has long been in the too hard basket for successive governments, but it’s time to take it out and properly debate the fairness of the current system.
Ending GST on some foods is being touted as a way to reduce food poverty. But cheap food comes with a high environmental and health cost. Is there a way to value food but reduce hardship?
Mike Joy, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Lisa Marriott, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, and Simon Chapple, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Farmers from the Groundswell movement want more concessions from the government but the environmental and economic cost might be more than New Zealand can afford.
The urgency of the climate crisis was overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic for a while, but the South African government displayed a renewed climate focus over the past year.
Ryan Conrad, York University, Canada and Emma McKenna, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
Government support programs like CERB and EI provide a safety net. During COVID-19, sex workers accessed various financial support — future policy needs to address the rights and security of sex workers.
Study shows that agriculture, one of the most important sectors, did not decline in 2020 compared to its historical trend. Service sectors were hit hard in each of the five countries.
Should the chancellor cut taxes to win votes ahead of the next election? It’s tempting but a lesson from history shows what happens when you go too far.
In 1950, the top 0.01% of earners paid almost 70% of their income in taxes. By 2018, the super-rich paid proportionately less than the average for all other Americans.
Australian retirees can keep stashing away more superannuation, unused, for another year, even though the crisis prompting the concession has passed. The big winners? Rich retirees and their kids.