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Post by 11SQNLDR on Feb 18, 2024 11:32:41 GMT 12
A 200Bn debt mountain, Govt spending up 84% over 6 years with F-all to show for it. Don't forget the increased tax intake due to inflation and non moving tax bands (meaning more people were paying tax at the top rates). The money to spend on defence was there, at one point, but the govt chose to spend it elsewhere. To cry foul when defence spending is cut because the country is broke seems a little disingenuous. You could get rid of the NZDF and most kiwi's wouldn't care. Cutting spending from the NZDF is like shooting fish in a barrel. Most people only think of the NZDF when some idiot gets lost in a boat and needs an aircraft to find them or to make condescending comments about boys toys. Unfortunately this country is very, very inward looking so explaining the intricacies of defence relationships with people who are fed "couldn't we spend that money on hospitals?" by the media would have the same effect talking to a wall. Those are all fair and valid points. The NZDF needs a decent cash injection just to keep up & I'm talking about just the basics like housing and other infrastructure - not capital investment on replacing aircraft which also needs to continue. And I'm the first to admit all past Governments in the last decade or more, be it left or right of centre, have under-invested which has lead to the poor state of affairs now. Collins has her work cut out for her with this portfolio but she's one I'd back to get some sort of positive result... |
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Post by madmac on Feb 18, 2024 19:31:11 GMT 12
The whole thing is completely insane, 7.5% reduction in spending just for shits and giggles (because a correcting government overspend doesn't require massive tax cuts as well), although one does have to note that a significant contribute to this governments election was the multi year foreign disinformation campaigns aimed at the previous government which by extension contributed to the election of the current government. What a deluded statement - cuts needed for 'shits and giggles'  And I won't even touch the weird foreign disinformation thing. Your side lost and indeed was thumped because the average Kiwi taxpayer was sick of the endless incompetence, woke hand-wringing drivel, the talentless ministers and the sickly divisive type of apartheid they were attempting to shove down peoples throats. Try educating yourself on the current financial state of play regarding the Govt's books and the mess the new lot have inherited. A 200Bn debt mountain, Govt spending up 84% over 6 years with F-all to show for it. Even the bumbling incompetent G Robertson admitted the present interest alone on the debt was $7BN a year, climbing to $10Bn per annum by next. The number is appalling and is greater than the total Defence and Police budgets combined - and that's just the interest payments!! Try running your own finances this badly & your bank manager would be calling in a mortgagee sale  But as usual the few remaining blinkered far left supporters won't accept this  Accept that the country is on the bones of its arse and sadly Defence like other Ministry's will need to trim back-end costs to shore up the front line services. 2024 /25 won't be easy years thanks to the morons in charge previously but hey, give her a Damehood and hope she never returns to our fair shores. Net government debt as of 8 months ago $86 billion. www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/government-finance-statistics-general-government-year-ended-june-2023/Foreign interference www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/11/new-zealand-intelligence-report-accuses-china-of-foreign-interferenceThere is also reports that at one point a couple years ago 40% of global russain bot traffic was aimed at NZ. The phase "your side lost" suggests you are probably in a far right wing American filter bubble, as thats a classic Thump propaganda phase, yet another foreign interference campgain which we suffering the halo effect of. We are in very deep shit and National is just digger deep for no purpose except to enrich their friends which means they are ensuring failure is not left to chance. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 18, 2024 19:51:31 GMT 12
Everyone, please discuss this topic with a little less political vitriol aimed at each other, it is not helping and it just gets people angry here.
The facts are thanks to previous governments the NZDF is royally stuffed, and the current government has a duty to reverse and repair that situation before it gets any worse. Sadly, as it looks right now, they do not look to be that keen to step up and fund things properly. I hope they realise that it has to be done pretty soon.
I agree with their stance to cut needless spending from most departments, there was layer upon layer of it under the last government which can easily be trimmed out. But leave NZDF alone. They need more funding, not cuts.
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Post by 30sqnatc on May 10, 2024 17:41:32 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Sept 17, 2024 17:11:08 GMT 12
Notice of PSA industrial action - NZDF Industrial Action Looms As NZDF Refuses Pay Rise For Civilian WorkersMonday, 16 September 2024, 3:34 pm NZDF PSA members are taking industrial action following the refusal of the NZ Defence Force to lift pay for civilian workers during bargaining for a new collective agreement. PSA members today voted overwhelmingly to work to rule and refuse overtime and callouts (unless lives are in danger) beginning 18 September. Workers at Kauri Point in Auckland will begin action on 2 October. "The zero wage increase NZDF tabled in bargaining is insulting to all civilian workers, so our members are left with no choice but show the depth of their feelings by taking this action," said Duane Leo, National Secretary for Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
"The attitude of NZDF is clear - they value the work of those in uniform above the thousands of civilian workers who support them day in day out so our military can do the important mahi of safeguarding our country.
"NZDF is already driving a voluntary redundancy programme among the 3000-civilian staff as part of the plan to cut $30m in spending. "The refusal to offer any pay increase will further undermine morale, increase workloads on those remaining and prompt many others to consider leaving. We fear NZDF will now consider forced redundancies to save money.
"All that will impact on the ability of NZDF to deliver its mission to ‘secure the country against external threats’. There is nothing more frontline than that. "This is all being driven by the Government’s reckless campaign to slim down of the public service so it can afford tax cuts.
"Our national security will suffer, and that is a clear frontline impact despite the Government’s repeated promises to the contrary," said Duane Leo.
In both cases, the industrial action will take the form of NZDF staff who are PSA members:
• Working to rule – which means working to the standard hours stipulated in the PSA Collective Employment Agreement (which may vary for particular roles) and taking all rest and meal breaks.
• Not working overtime - which means a ban on performing work in addition to contractual hours of work.
• Refusing to be on call – which will be specific to how it applies to a staff members terms and conditions.
• NZDF PSA members who are under the collective agreement are legally allowed to participate in this strike action unless it involves an essential service (as it is defined in the Employment Relations Act 2000), in which case a minimum of 14 days’ notice is required to strike.
• Due to a third of the NZDF civilian workforce being PSA members, an incident response team has been stood up to monitor impacts and ensure that any essential work is not impacted by this form of industrial action.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 17, 2024 17:23:40 GMT 12
Gosh. Have the NZDF's civilian workers ever had to strike before?
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Post by madmac on Sept 17, 2024 19:15:29 GMT 12
Oh look the arbitrary cost cutting of Key's government (off loading any and all possible roles to civilians with minimum pay and conditions) comes around to bites the current National government.
Hopefully this means any and all VIP's rides flights will be off due to the strike.
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Post by McFly on Sept 20, 2024 12:35:44 GMT 12
Defence Force planning restructure to cut costs, as 200 civilian staff opt for voluntary redundancy ( link)  10:53am 20/9/2024 Some union members say the cuts could threaten the security of New Zealand's borders. (File image) Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone More than 200 civilian Defence Force staff have opted for voluntary redundancy, while more job cuts are on the horizon as the agency plans for a restructure to cut costs. RNZ has sighted an email the Defence Force sent to staff on Thursday, informing them that it had accepted the majority of the more than 200 expressions of interest for voluntary redundancies. It proposed a restructure and warned staff that more cuts to its civilian workforce were likely. "There are more savings that will have to be realised in order for the NZDF to stay within its allocated funding this financial year, and to set us up for enduring savings in the years ahead," it said. It said there were no plans to reduce its military workforce. It told staff it would be looking at achieving efficiencies, removing duplications and making operation savings. A timeline presented to staff showed that an executive committee would approve the proposal for change in December, and consultation with staff would begin in February 2025. The restructure itself was set to take place between April and June 2025. Cuts 'reckless' - unionThe Public Service Association, which represents over 40 percent of the Defence Force's approximately 2600 civilian staff members, said the news was distressing for its members. Union organiser Mark James said staff were worried that New Zealand's security would be undermined. "They are utterly shocked as a result of the email to them, they are just gobsmacked, they see this as just reckless-cost cutting as a result of the government underfunding of New Zealand Defence Force "They honestly feel that the security of our borders, and that of our Pacific neighbours, is threatened by this continuance of cost-cutting and cutting of civilian roles, who play a vital role in assisting military personnel in defending New Zealand." James said civilian roles included looking after the maintenance of aircraft, the security of bases, IT and intelligence. The workforce was already cut to its bare bones, with many staff dealing with double their usual workload, he said. "To further reduce the numbers of civilian [workers], will mentally harm the civilians, it will just be so stressful and so harmful on those left behind, this is just a recipe for disaster." James said the cuts should not be happening in an international environment where tensions were rising and other governments were investing more in their defence forces. The Defence Force has confirmed the changes and has been approached for further comment.
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Post by McFly on Sept 20, 2024 12:40:23 GMT 12
Defence Force offered zero pay increase start industrial action ( link)  10:38am 20/9/2024Civilian staff employed by the Defence Force (NZDF) have started industrial action after being offered no pay increase, with more jobs set to go. The Public Service Association says staff were told on Thursday a major restructure would "likely result in a further reduction in the civilian workforce to meet funding pressures". National secretary Duane Leo said NZDF had already accepted about 200 voluntary redundancies - about 8 percent of its civilian workforce. "There is nothing more frontline than the defence of the nation, so this decision is just more evidence of the government's reckless and short-sighted approach to cost cutting," he said. The announcement of further cuts pending followed NZDF's decision not to offer any pay increases during bargaining for a new collective agreement. PSA members started six weeks of work-to-rule industrial action at 9am on Wednesday, set to last until 5pm on 31 October. Members at Kauri Point in Auckland have deferred the start of their industrial action until 2 October, as they were required to give 14 days' notice because the loading and unloading of ships was considered "an essential service". Leo said the government should be funding NZDF "properly" at a time of rising security threats in the Pacific. "The threat of further job cuts just rubs salt into the wounds of an already stretched civilian workforce with many staff dealing with double their usual workload. "They do such vital work supporting the men and women in uniform across all branches of NZDF, here and overseas. To further reduce the number of civilian workers will add just cause more stress. It's a recipe for disaster. "Our members are just gobsmacked that their roles should be so disrespected by NZDF. We urge the government to rethink this irresponsible approach to saving money." NZDF has been approached for comment.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 20, 2024 13:49:37 GMT 12
How on earth can the NZDF afford the loss of hundreds more staff? This is utterly crazy.
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Post by 30sqnatc on Sept 20, 2024 16:41:57 GMT 12
When your balance sheet is in the red ....
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 20, 2024 18:21:26 GMT 12
It will only get worse, the more people they lose. How about going back to the good old days of when we needed money, we borrowed it. This madness of trying to pay off all the debt whilst killing the country needs to stop. Also cut all the non-essential government departments and projects.The highest priority should be Defence and Health. They could cut half the crap out of Education and save money there.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 5, 2024 17:28:45 GMT 12
I have been sent the following:
Kia ora koutou e te whānau
I want to update you on the Public Service Association (PSA) industrial action.
The PSA called its NZDF members to vote to continue and increase the level industrial action, in support of the PSA bargaining for a new collective agreement, which includes increases to pay and other terms and conditions which include a cost to NZDF.
As a result, the PSA has today given notice of further industrial action across all NZDF locations, excluding Kauri Point, from 0900 Wednesday 06 November 2024 until 1700 Friday 31 January 2025.
Separately, the PSA has given NZDF 14 days notice of industrial action occurring at Kauri Point which will commence at 0900 Wednesday 20 November 2024 until 1700 Friday 31 January 2025. This is due to the PSA identifying Kauri Point as an essential service.
In both cases, industrial action will take the form of NZDF staff who are PSA members:
· Working to rule – which means working to the standard hours stipulated in the PSA Collective Employment Agreement (which may vary for particular roles) and taking all rest and meal breaks.
· Not working overtime - which means a ban on performing work in addition to contractual hours of work.
· Refusing to be on call – which will be specific to how it applies to a staff member’s terms and conditions.
· Refusing to work under specified conditions – working at height, working when earmuffs are required, and working in confined spaces where breathing apparatus is required.
· Refusing to work offsite – working at a location that is not the usual place of work.
· Going-slow – reduction in work output.
For the Defence Security Guard Force and NZDF Airfield Fire Fighters, the industrial action will take the form of:
· Simultaneous rest and meal breaks – taking rest and meal breaks at the same time.
Due to the varying forms of industrial action, the NZDF is working to clarify some of the details with the PSA. I will be providing a further update to ensure you have as much clarity as possible on what this means.
Important things you need to know in the meantime.
All NZDF PSA members who are under the collective agreement are legally allowed to participate in this strike action unless it involves an essential service (as it is defined in the Employment Relations Act 2000), in which case a minimum of 14 days notice is required to strike.
We are working as quickly as possible to be able to provide guidance to our managers of PSA members – this should be available tomorrow. For now, any identified risks to your team, associated with these forms of industrial action should be raised through your chain of command. If you have any immediate concerns or questions, please also direct them to your local HR Advisor.
The command group has been stood up to regularly monitor the impacts of this industrial action, and contingency plans will be put in place to ensure both core outputs and day-to-day work are not heavily impacted throughout this time.
The NZDF will continue to bargain in good faith with the PSA.
I acknowledge that we are coming to the end of a busy year. I want to assure you that we are working as quickly as we can to identify what contingency plans we need to put in place.
I ask that you all reflect upon our NZDF values when this industrial action takes place and are mindful and considerate of each other when having conversations on this matter.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Jacinda
Jacinda Funnell
Chief People Officer HQNZDF, People Capability Portfolio - HQNZDF
Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa | New Zealand Defence Force
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 5, 2024 17:30:20 GMT 12
Industrial action escalates as NZDF refuses to budge on zero pay rise30/10/2024 The stubborn refusal of NZDF to lift pay for civilian workers will spark another round of industrial action by PSA members beginning next week. Further bargaining for a new collective agreement has failed to budge NZDF from its zero-increase position. As a result, members have voted overwhelmingly to reject the offer and to escalate industrial action. The current industrial action legally must end on Thursday. "NZDF is insulting the thousands of dedicated civilian workers who, like the men and women in uniform, are keeping our country safe from threats, but in the eyes of NZDF are second class citizens who don’t deserve a pay rise," said Duane Leo, National Secretary for Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. "This stubborn refusal to increase the zero-pay rise offer shows how little NZDF respects and values its civilian workers who like many are doing it tough in a cost-of-living crisis. It leaves our members with no choice but to send another strong message that this position is unacceptable." PSA members are already working to rule and refusing overtime and callouts (unless life preserving services as required). Members will now initiate further industrial action on top of this beginning 9am Thursday 6 November. Kauri Point (Auckland) members, who load and unload ships, will join them on 20 November. This may include a refusal to work in certain circumstances and an escalation of actions. The action ends on 31 January. "NZDF doesn’t seem to care that its refusal to budge on pay for civilian staff will keep undermining morale. Workloads are already increasing through its current voluntary redundancy programme as it seeks to cut $30m from spending. Forced redundancies may also follow. "All this will prompt more to consider leaving at a time when the Defence Force is facing critical worker shortages. "The Government promised no impacts on the frontline from its spending cuts. "Make no mistake, these cuts will impact the ability of NZDF to deliver on its stated mission to ‘secure the country against external threats’. There is nothing more frontline than that. We urge NZDF to reconsider," said Duane Leo. www.psa.org.nz/our-voice/industrial-action-escalates-as-nzdf-refuses-to-budge-on-zero-pay-rise/
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Post by skyhawkdon on Nov 5, 2024 17:34:08 GMT 12
An unfortunate name the Chief People Officer has! Sad times.
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And I won't even touch the weird foreign disinformation thing. Your side lost and indeed was thumped because the average Kiwi taxpayer was sick of the endless incompetence, woke hand-wringing drivel, the talentless ministers and the sickly divisive type of apartheid they were attempting to shove down peoples throats.
