The Star: September 30, 2021

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The Star Thursday September 30 2021 14 OPINION Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Newstalk ZB’s political editor Barry Soper says the Government is under real pressure THIS GOVERNMENT is running out of fingers to plug the holes in the dyke. Observe the body language of the prime minister and it’s obvious to me at least the pressure she’s under. She was fidgeting with her face mask to such an extent in Parliament’s debating chamber on Tuesday that the audio had static. It’s as though the stable door’s been ripped off its hinges and the horse is nowhere in sight. Everyone’s being caught by surprise, with the Government being about as transparent as a brick wall. Take the past 48 hours for example. No doubt reeling from the latest One News-Colmar Brunton opinion poll, where Labour’s ratings have shed 10 per cent in less than a year, even though it remains on a relatively respectable 43 per cent, it won’t be happy. The Covid cushion is losing its stuffing. Lockdowns usually sees the party getting a sympathetic bump in the polls from a frightened, insecure public. But with one death in 1185 cases in the current outbreak, it isn’t creating the climate of fear that they’ve relied on. So, they’ve moved into overdrive to take our minds off the recovery road. Interest deductibility for property investors, announced without detail last March, has suddenly got the detail and it’ll be in place from Friday – no more tax relief there. No sooner had they dealt with that, they dropped another bombshell, again in the property arena, with commercial property owners being left punch drunk with Justice Minister Kris Faafoi putting in some time at the office and announcing leases were being changed. Faafoi, who doesn’t have a legal bone in his body, is making changes to property law, inserting a clause allowing a tenant to pay a “fair proportion” of their rent where Covid has impacted on their business. It avoids the Government having to step up to compensate the struggling tenants. Labour, Ardern look rattled OVERDRIVE: A drop in popularity will have Jacinda Ardern under pressure along with managing Covid. Do you agree with Soper’s viewpoint? Email barry@ starmedia.kiwi Keep responses to 200 words or less. And that, without any consultation with the landlords, came into effect last night. They tried to do it last year but the man who is made up in equal parts of legal and political bones, Winston Peters, stopped them doing it. He rightly argued the sanctity of contract law but when you have an outright majority, as Labour has, they can do what they like. In the coming days they’ll be at it again. Nanaia Mahuta’s taking the axe to the Three Waters law, where 67 local body councils own the infrastructure that ratepayers have paid for over many years, which will be claimed and turned into four bureaucratic behemoths. There are only a handful of councils that agree with the change. The majority it seems to me see it as theft. But the Local Government Minister’s shown opposition is of no consequence – remember the Māori electoral wards that are now part of the makeup with all objection being legislated away. And the brick wall transparency was again at play by the end of the day. Trade Minister Damien O’Connor’s off overseas again this week, this time to the United States and to Europe. Few would argue with a minister travelling to promote New Zealand’s wares, but you can argue with the way we found out. The news of his trip was tweeted by the United States’ charge d’affaires Kevin Covert. MIQ spaces will be awaiting his return, no need for a lottery there. Expect Jacinda Ardern to head off overseas in November as well. A tip-off to the up-coming travel was checked out with her office with a spokesperson saying “no travel has been confirmed and would be dependent on the domestic situation with Covid.” They’re political weasel words which we have to listen to daily. Ardern will be hoping the dyke will withstand the pressure between now and then. – NZ Herald • Readers’ letters, page 17 reach more KK11743 178,000 readers with just one ad Contact Shane: 021 381 765 or shane@starmedia.kiwi *Source AC Nielsen CMI Q3 19-Q2 20 - Star Max
Thursday September 30 2021 The Star 15 STYLE & QUALITY FOR LESS Manatee Corner Recliner Suite STORE OPEN AT LEVEL2 SUPER SPECIAL WAS $2299 $ WAS $2869 2099 $ 2579 Extra Section Available $299 Valley Corner Storm Raisin SUPER SPECIAL Linea Coffee Table Nordik Med Ext. Table W160-210 x D90x H76 cm WAS $1299 $ 1169 WAS $789 $ 699 Zurich Chair WAS $199 $ 179 5 Year Warranty 5 Year Warranty Fox Bedroom Manatee Collection Corner Recliner Suite Riviera Mattress Single $489 $449 King Single $509 $469 Double $609 $559 Queen $729 $669 King $799 $739 California King $879 $809 FROM $ 449 Chateau Mattress Single $609 $559 King Single $719 $669 Double $859 $799 Queen $929 $859 King $1019 $939 California King $229 $1139 FROM $ 559 NZ Made Bedside from $279 Bedframe from $708 Chest from $589 Lowboy from $681 Underbed Storage from $221 WAS $1899 $ 1749 Marley Outdoor Dining Chair Piha Extension Outdoor Table WAS $179 $ 149 QUALITY FURNITURE Your style, your way. Affordable Our Fox range makes an impact with its striking lines, and clever ability to adapt to its environment - customise the hardware your way! Sleek in its style, the Fox collection matches a modern, uncomplicated look in dark tones, with the ability to adapt the handles to your preference. Slimline metal hardware in whatever colour you choose - gold, nickel, gunmetal and copper - to add a personal touch to your new look and a striking contrast to the bold black Fox finish. The Fox range comes ready built, set to go, so you can style your space in no time. Time to make a statement of your own with the Fox range! PRICE TAG WAS $2199 $ 1999 Tekapo Simplistic feet. Willis Chaise Outdoor Set WAS $2199 $ 1999 Slimline metal handles. 3 + 1 + 1 + Table + Bench Outdoor Set FREE CARPARKING SOUTH CITY BATH ST WE ARE HERE 255 MOORHOUSE AVE REBEL SPORT COLOMBO ST MANUFACTURED BY: COMPAC FURNITURE MON-FRI 9:30AM – 5:30PM SAT-SUN 10AM – 5:30PM 0800 268 264 www.affordablefurniture.nz
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The Star: September 30, 2021

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