You might not have heard that the Green Party’s 2025 Alternative Budget is a bold blueprint for a fairer, greener Aotearoa. That's because right-wing spin merchants are twisting its intent and manipulating the narrative with predictable ferocity. From National’s Nicola Willis labeling it “clown show economics” to NZ Herald’s Thomas Coughlan claiming it slashes nurses’ pay, the disinformation is relentless and designed to keep the public guesing.
The Greens’ plan, rooted in wealth taxes and social investment, aims to rebuild resilience, yet perceived vagueness in some areas has left too much room for distortion. Clarity is critical to counter the right-wing attacks and showcase the Alternative budget’s transformative potential.
The coalition’s scaremongering–calling it “Marxist” or “left-wing Trumpism”–is a pathetic tactic of disinformation to dodge substantive debate. The government's cuts to public services contrast starkly with the Greens’ $88.8 billion revenue plan, funded by taxing the ultra-wealthy, not everyday Kiwis. The Greens must seize the narrative and sharpen their messaging to dismantle right-wing myths and highlight how their policies will prioritise people over profit.
Myth: The Green Budget taxes nurses into poverty. Coughlan’s analysis in the NZ Herald falsely claims nurses lose after-tax income. The Greens’ plan cuts income tax for 91% of Kiwis, with wealth taxes targeting the top 3%.
Myth: The budget isn’t costed. The Greens’ plan was independently costed by Infometrics, projecting $99.1 billion over four years, with clear revenue streams like wealth and inheritance taxes.
Myth: It’s reckless spending. The $88.8 billion funds free GP visits, childcare, and a $395 weekly income guarantee, addressing inequality while investing in climate and infrastructure resilience.
Myth: Wealth taxes cause capital flight. Treasury’s warnings are speculative; similar taxes in Norway and Spain show minimal exodus by wealthy residents when paired with robust public investment. The Greens’ plan mitigates risks through targeted design.
Myth: It’s “Marxist” nonsense. National’s hyperbole ignores the Green budget’s pragmatic focus: doubling mining royalties, taxing private jets, and boosting job creation via a Green Jobs Guarantee.
Myth: It’s reckless spending. The $88.8 billion funds free GP visits, childcare, and a $395 weekly income guarantee, addressing inequality while investing in climate and infrastructure resilience.
Myth: Wealth taxes cause capital flight. Treasury’s warnings are speculative; similar taxes in Norway and Spain show minimal exodus by wealthy residents when paired with robust public investment. The Greens’ plan mitigates risks through targeted design.
Myth: It’s “Marxist” nonsense. National’s hyperbole ignores the Green budget’s pragmatic focus: doubling mining royalties, taxing private jets, and boosting job creation via a Green Jobs Guarantee.
Tame’s Q+A critique: Lack of detail. Swarbrick’s admission of needing to “come back” on specifics may have been a misstep. However the line of questioning was taken directly from right-wing disinformation merchants. Despite this, the Green's must proactively publish clear tax thresholds and economic modeling.
The Greens’ vision of free healthcare, guaranteed incomes, and 40,000 green jobs isn’t radical; it’s absolutely necessary to improve New Zealanders living standards. But they must front-foot the narrative. Right-wing spin thrives on ambiguity, and National’s fear-mongering distracts from their own budget’s failures, like underfunding after-hours care and dismantling the social welfare safety net.
Swarbrick and Davidson need to emulate the clarity of past Green Party campaigns, arming supporters with facts to counter disinformation. They must also come up with a game plan to ensure the MSM doesn't ignore their policies in the run up to the election. The alternative budget isn’t a “clown show”...it’s a lifeline for a nation battered by neoliberal ideology already a proven to be a failure. The Greens must own the story, or the right will write it for them.
