One press statement from the Beehive yesterday sounded more like advertising – or a barker’s pitch – than a Government announcement. Another advised of two diplomatic appointment, one of them – has the woman who landed the post done something wrong? – to protest-troubled and politically volatile Hong Kong.
And yes, as happens almost daily, there was news about the spending of big bucks. Defence Minister Ron Mark announced the Coalition Government’s confirmation of the purchase of five Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft to replace the existing fleet.
This is part of a $1.521 billion project that also will deliver a full mission flight simulator and other supporting infrastructure.
But bigger bucks are involved in the major announcement of the day. The Government has lowered the required revenue drop threshold for its wage subsidy scheme from 50% to 40%. This will allow 40,000 more businesses to become eligible for the new eight-week scheme from 10 June, covering up to 910,000 workers.
Up to 230,000 businesses are forecast to become eligible.
Small businesses are also being given more time to apply for the Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme, with the application date being extended from 12 June to 24 July. Continue reading “A billion (or so) will give RNZAF a new Hercules fleet but many more billions are being spent on revised wage subsidy scheme” →