The cost of the monarchy to NZ taxpayers
Monarchy New Zealand claims the monarchy costs taxpayers $4.4 million per year. They're wrong. The real cost is about $7m per year. This is excluding other incidental costs such as refurbishing Government House, which cost taxpayers $40m. The monarchy doesn't cost us "virtually nothing" as monarchists claim.
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Yes, Government House will be the seat of constitutional power in a republic but the annual cost of upkeep and maintenance on Government House needs to be included in any summary as it is part of the annual cost of maintaining it as a separate political institution. This includes cost of gardens and grounds, and any cleaning, renovations, repairs and upgrades to the building. If the building had been properly maintained over the years then taxpayers would not have had to spend the $40 million all in one hit. That $40 million should by rights be spread over the life of the building to date. Hard to calculate this of course so it may be better to just start all comparisons from the date of the renovations onward.
What we know is that the cost of an elected Head of State is likely to be similar to the cost of the current Governor-General: approximately $2 per person per year. An elected H of S will be better value for money however as they would actually function as a constitutional check instead of a ceremonial rubber stamper. The renovation of Government House is what we are all about.....
I don't understand what the cost of the refurbishment of Government House has to do with the monarchy. It had to be done and it's an expense that would save money in the future because less would have to be paid on maintenance or fixing/repairing things. I think that the cost of the refurbishment of Government House should not be included in the cost of the monarchy because either way, if we were a republic and if a President resided there, it could be seen as a cost to the Presidency. It's a pointless argument cos it could go either way.
Government House is the residency of the Governor-General, who is the Queen's representative. The only reason it was included in the video was to point out how horribly wrong the monarchists have got their claims.
What a load of rubbish. Your the one that's WRONG Holden.
How am I wrong?
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