Update on ‘Mother of All Debates: Are we on a realistic path to surplus?’

Nicola Willis has reneged on her ‘any time, any place’ debate challenge to Ruth Richardson. However, given that these issues are important to all New Zealanders, the Taxpayers’ Union Chair is willing to debate Minister Willis so long as it is a substantive discussion, rather than performative theatre.
 
The Taxpayers’ Union is proposing that the format be a round table discussion next Thursday morning, in a studio in Wellington moderated by an appropriate economically knowledgeable journalist or commentator. The discussion would live-streamed with a clean broadcast feed made available to all media. Taking place on Thursday morning, we will have the benefit of knowing the most up to date state of the Government’s books after HYEFU on Tuesday.
 
To reflect the tone and substance of the discussion we nominate Cameron Bagrie as host – ANZ’s former Chief Economist, and former advisor to the National Party on matters of public finance – as neutral, but expert, moderator. That way, it’s a serious debate on how best to get New Zealand’s books into shape, rather than personal attacks or a distraction from the real issues.