Past event: Pre-election public lectures

The Chair in Public Finance was very pleased to host two public lectures on the future of the government's finances after the 2014 general election, across two days in September.

1 September

Hon Bill English, Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister presented 'What will the economy look like under a National-led Government?'

Hon Bill English during his public lecture on what the economy would look like under a National-led Government

Hon Bill English is the Deputy Party Leader for the National, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and the Minister for Regulatory Reform. He is also the member for the Clutha-Southland Electorate. Mr English touched on the following themes for the future of the Government’s finances: sustainable growth to avoid excesses of last economic cycle, stabilising the housing market, continued investment in infrastructure, continued investment in skills and education in alignment with market requirements, supporting productivity and efficiency of government and the personalisation of welfare support to achieve real results for real people.

2 September

Hon David Parker, Labour’s Finance spokesperson and Deputy Leader presented 'What will the economy look like under a Labour-led Government?

Hon David Parker beginning his public lecture on what the economy would look like under a Labour-led Government.

Hon David Parker is Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Finance spokesperson, Shadow Attorney General, Deputy Chairperson of the Privileges Committee, and a member of the Finance and Expenditure Committee. Key themes of his presentation were the reduction of government debt, the introduction of research and development tax credits, the introduction of compulsory KiwiSaver and raising the age of eligibility for superannuation to 67, the affordability of home ownership and tackling child poverty. The most important policy discussed by Mr Parker was the proposed introduction of a Capital Gains Tax, which raised some interesting questions around the definition of a family home, and also around whether or not this could be perceived as a significant inheritance tax.