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Freedom Camping Act 2011 and unintended consequences

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Regarding the Freedom Camping Act 2011 and unintended consequences

An open letter to Rt Hon John Key, Minister of Tourism, New Zealand regarding the freedom camping act 2011 and unintended consequences including high court challenge of Thames Coromandel District Council by the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association

Rt Hon John Key Minister of Tourism New Zealand 10/04/2014

Dear Sir,

Regarding the Freedom Camping Act 2011 and unintended consequences.

The freedom camping act was established largely at the behest of local bodies that found themselves powerless to control overnight camping in their districts. Media reports of unsuitable behaviour (defecation, littering & theft) were becoming more frequent and there was a clear indication from the Tourism Industry, Councils and residents that this new and growing trend was not good for tourism and not good for New Zealand.

The Minister for the environment recognised the need for control to be established and aimed to do so before the Rugby World Cup.

It may be that this timeline led to what has proven to be some unfortunate consequences.

It is important to recognise that there was very little authorised so called freedom camping before the act. Most ratepayers throughout NZ objected to subsidising these visitors, and councils actions and bylaws reflected that attitude, by way of their request for legislation to control so called freedom camping. While some (Gisborne) councils had in place management schemes, in others (Thames) request for service statistics show complaints concerning freedom camping to be the single most frequent reason for the call.

Secondly, proponents of unlimited freedom camping are want to point out that they have always done it and it is our birthright. Sadly, the always done it part is in a way correct, but the real truth of that statement is that it has also always upset those affected. Until the 1970s every summer holiday saw hundreds, if not thousands of holiday makers freedom camping along the coast of the Bay of Plenty from Opotiki to Waihou Bay. This wasnt a birthright as so many claim, this was trespass, pollution and desecration of wahi tapu sites. As soon as these locals found themselves sufficiently empowered, the practice was stopped.

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Freedom Camping Act 2011 and unintended consequences

Freedom and control are why the rich really are charitable

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It's a paradox that seems to reinforce every stereotype about greed and wealth: those with the smallest incomes donate the greatest share of their money, while the rich pinch their pennies. Among taxpayers who claim a deduction for their generosity, the proportion of money given away by low-income earners is 11 times higher than that of wealthy taxpayers.

The disparity, highlighted in a Fairfax analysis of the most recent data available (2010-11) from the Tax Office, shows those who claimed tax-deductible gifts in the lowest taxable income band - less than $6001 - donated an average of 22 per cent of their incomes. By contrast, taxpayers reporting $1 million or more of taxable income donated an average of 1.8 per cent of their income.

"Some people say this proves that low-income earners are more generous than high-income earners," says Myles McGregor-Lowndes, director of the Centre of Philanthropy and Non-profit Studies at Queensland University of Technology. But other factors, including wealthy retirees, may be at play.

"We suspect that it's to do with high net-worth individuals who may not have any income or little income but give away substantial amounts so they don't have to pay income tax."

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The affluent gain more from charitable deductions than low-income earners. In 2010-11, tax-deductible donations returned more than $1 billion to taxpayers, 20 per cent of which went to the wealthiest 1 per cent.

If generosity were measured by who is most likely to donate - not who gives away the bigger proportion - high-income earners would be the winners. The wealthiest Australians are 10 times more likely to claim a tax-deductible gift than those who report the lowest incomes.

But there are pitfalls to equating tax-deductible gifts with generosity.

"People who have tax accountants are more likely to claim deductions than those who don't," Professor McGregor-Lowndes says. Poorer taxpayers might not claim every $2 handed out on Red Shield Day.

But tax breaks are not the end of the story. Even the richest taxpayers end up with a net loss when they give away their money.

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Freedom and control are why the rich really are charitable

The Freedom of Forgiveness | Matthew 18:21-35 | Pastor Chuck Acree | 04/09/2014 – Video

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The Freedom of Forgiveness | Matthew 18:21-35 | Pastor Chuck Acree | 04/09/2014
Wednesday PM Service @ Calvary Chapel Lone Mountain in Las Vegas Nevada. http://cclonemountain.org Audio Version: http://www.cclonemountain.org/mp3/chuckacre...

By: Calvary Chapel Lone Mountain

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The Freedom of Forgiveness | Matthew 18:21-35 | Pastor Chuck Acree | 04/09/2014 - Video

What Happens When Young People Take Action? Teaching About the Freedom Movement – Video

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What Happens When Young People Take Action? Teaching About the Freedom Movement
This Educator Innovator webinar was originally broadcast on April 7, 2014. For a full archive, go here: The young people who took part in Freedom Summer and ...

By: National Writing Project

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What Happens When Young People Take Action? Teaching About the Freedom Movement - Video


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