The climate's changed for National

Farmers given free-pass - taxpayers pick up the tab

It's entirely unsurprising that National have granted farmers exemption from paying their ETS bills and have instead passed the $80 million tab to the general taxpayer.
It's exactly what was expected.
Ordinary New Zealanders can surely afford the extra $80 million - after all, these are good times economically, aren't they? We've all got oodles of cash lying about waiting to be spent on someone else's behalf, haven't we?
Why should the farming community, by their own admission flush with cash in these times of great demand for their goods, have to pay for the bill that they are racking-up?
Joe Public can pick up that tab, according to Mr Key.
Sound fair to you?

National: Summed up

"National blew the VIP entertainment budget for the Rugby World Cup by $5 million, despite none of the promised big names actually turning up. They got the extra dosh out of Mfat’s budget. In unrelated news, the government is cutting the Greens’ Warm Up New Zealand programme, which has returned four times its costs in benefits. There’s no money, you see."

This post, on The Standard, says so much, so succinctly. Go there, if you've the time and inclination, and read the post and the comments I expect will accrue.