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As part of our drive to keep our comment section the best in New Zealand we showcase each week an example of a top-notch comment that adds value to The BFD.
Today’s comment was written by Blockhead Thank you Blockhead for taking the time to craft such an interesting comment in response to this article.
I recall a comment from Angus Tait many years ago. It went along the lines that before you get economic growth (and an increased standard of living) someone has to actually produce something of value to others in the economy.
This highlights the vast contrast between those who worked in the gas industry and those who work for Government. One is generating “goods” from raw material, the other depends on the output of the first for their jobs.
There are elements of GDP which are in fact the outcome of negatives. Accident and Emergency departments and panel beaters fixing the results of accidents are not really adding to our wealth (we would be better off if they were not needed) even though their output is counted as part of GDP.
I think the same applies to the “output” of a large part of the public service (whether central or local government).
