Sir Roger Douglas: ACT Founder supports Shane Jones
Dec 20, 2024
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Sir Roger Douglas expresses disappointment in the ACT Party's response to dire Treasury forecasts, favoring Shane Jones' vision for revitalizing primary industries. He critiques the current government's reluctance to adopt bold reforms, likening it to historic changes from 1984. The discussion also delves into economic strategies aimed at improving savings and retirement options for New Zealanders, while examining the dynamics within political parties that affect financial policies.
Sir Roger Douglas criticizes the ACT Party's inadequate response to fiscal challenges, reflecting a departure from its founding principles.
Douglas advocates for a tax-free income threshold to encourage personal retirement savings, proposing significant reforms for long-term financial stability.
Deep dives
Disappointment in ACT's Direction
Roger Douglas expresses profound disappointment in the current direction of the ACT Party, which he founded. He critiques the party's failure to address New Zealand's escalating fiscal challenges, particularly in light of a grim Treasury forecast. Douglas points out that when ACT was established, it was rooted in solid principles that advocated for proactive fiscal measures and individual savings to avoid debt crises. He contrasts this with today’s leadership, suggesting that they lack the resolve to tackle the necessary cuts and reforms that would genuinely benefit New Zealand’s financial future.
Advocating for Systemic Change
Douglas proposes a transformative approach to retirement savings, advocating for a policy where the first $53,500 of income is tax-free to encourage personal savings. He believes that this model could help individuals accumulate sufficient retirement funds, ensuring they have substantial savings by the time they retire. Additionally, he suggests phasing out state superannuation to alleviate long-term costs for the government, emphasizing the potential savings of around $300 billion over 40 years. His ideas are rooted in a strong belief that radical changes are necessary to secure a stable financial future for New Zealand citizens.