Joyce acting strangely before doing screaming U-turn

OPINION: When politicians say that what they said was not what they meant, it's customary for them to issue a "clarification". A clarification is usually the direct opposite of what they previously said, and most often follows a public backlash or a dressing-down from the prime minister.

It's known in political circles as a readjustment of position. You or I might call it a screaming U-turn.

The latest politician to do the 180-degree turn is normally politically astute Transport Minister Steven Joyce, who must have had his radar switched off when he announced a review of the SuperGold card scheme for the over-65s. This card was dreamt up by the former Labour government, in conjunction with NZ First leader Winston Peters, in a desperate bid to stave off election defeat in 2008.

Let's be honest, the card is a bit of political sop. Originally meant to provide superannuitants with genuine savings on their power bills and groceries, it initially flopped because Mr Peters couldn't persuade enough retailers to offer meaningful discounts.

Labour then took matters into its own hands in April 2008, adding free off-peak transport on urban bus, rail, and some ferry services. At that point, the scheme took off. National doesn't agree with the SuperGold card, though it won't say so. It has some sound reasons for this. The scheme's relatively expensive, it's inequitable, and it isn't means-tested. Plenty of elders who can easily afford the price of a bus fare still ride for free.

National realised it would be churlish - not to mention politically untenable - to scrap the card on entering office, which is why it has stayed. All of which makes Mr Joyce's "review" last week rather strange. For the sake of saving a couple of million dollars, the Government alarmed 540,000 gold-card holders, all of whom take their responsibilities at the ballot box very seriously, if you get my drift.

Less than 24 hours after Mr Joyce's initial proposal to review the definition of "off peak" and some of the "high-cost" services, the Government was pledging no changes to the services on offer. Instead, the Government plans to make the required savings by cutting the payments to the transport operators, which might mean they put their fares up for everyone else to cover the shortfall, or that they will simply make less money.

What was doubly strange about National's shortlived attack on the elderly was that at the same time as Mr Joyce was hinting at cutbacks to the SuperGold card, Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman was rolling out the welcome mat to the world's retirees. He has offered New Zealand residency to anyone over the age of 65 who can scrape together $750,000 to invest and has at least $500,000 in assets. In many countries such coin is roughly the average house price, so the invitation is likely to be extremely popular.

If his scheme does take off, as seems probable, it will likely place an additional burden on the health system regardless of whether or not the new immigrants have insurance. There's an additional concern that treating them differently from other immigrants will institute two classes of New Zealand citizen - one that is entitled to help from the state, and one that is not.

At least the new immigrants can still be certain of one thing. Thanks to Mr Joyce's U-turn, they'll be able to apply for a SuperGold card, available to any New Zealand citizen, and enjoy the use of infrastructure their taxes never paid for.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First

Intheknow   #3   12:36 pm Mar 16 2010

I, as someone who works in an in-the-know position, can quite catergorically inform you that there was no turn-around, only an over-eager media jumping to conclusions that Minister Joyce then had to put right. Very ironic that you should write an article completely misinformed by your own occupation.

Augusta   #2   08:00 am Mar 16 2010

#1 Spoken as one who does not have a gold card.

Trish   #1   10:41 am Mar 15 2010

It was obvious from the TV news item I saw that at least some of the people using this perk can afford to pay. Of course they were happy to enjoy a free ferry ride to Waiheke Island, but then they spent up large when they got there. They certainly weren't short of cash.

Instead of providing free transport in all cases, why not have the card provide discounts in some cases (like Waiheke Island). I'm sure people would be just as happy to pay a reduced fare as opposed to no fare. Of course there would be opposition from some people, but I would imagine others would realise they've had a pretty good wicket up till now and see that it can't continue without some adjustment.

Ad Feedback