Mordusia

[Rogue]

OOC Source: theapricity

Randworth: Mordusian People's Party leader Connor Anderson revealed the vision that the newborn hosian democratic-conservative alliance has for the country in the years ahead. In a speech called the "Hamilton Adress", a annual adress where a important speaker can talk about political issues, Anderson praised the newly created Mordusian People's Party, which binds together the southern Hosian Dems and northern Conservatives on the national level. He basically outlined the party alliance program, ranging from the housing market to defense policy and financial policy. Anderson himself was chosen as the alliance its face and leader, himself being a conservative, while the hosian democratic leader would become chairman of the alliance. Anderson had been mayor of Kimberly, Coliwick when he was still a member of labor, defecting to the Mordusian Conservative Party 4 years ago. He was one of the instigators of the alliance between north and south and is seen as a fiscal conservative and a social centrist.

The newfound alliance between hosian dems and conservatives opens up a new chapter for the Mordusian right. We have already put forward policy proposals, some of which have even been taken up by parties currently in parliament. We are confident that in the next election the MPP alliance can become the main voice of center-right voters accross this country. We have seen what ultimate rule of Labor has cost our country. It has cost us our identity, financial stability and clear moral leadership. The MPP alliance seeks to do just that, deliver clear moral leadership for the future of this country. We will balance the budget and invest what we can in education and security, making sure our police and securty forces have the resources needed to perform their jobs. We will enact social legislation to create the rebirth of our moral fabric and ensure that the guideless leadership of Labor is reversed. We will invest in the armed forces and ensure a new diplomatic era, strengthening relations with our allies and putting Mordusia at the forefront of global cooperation and economic partnership. MPP leadership in our country will be pragmatic, descisive and moral. We will bring back vision to the country and ensure our financial system thrives.

Most of those attending where conservatives and hosian dems, with some people of Labor also present. The MPP is doing relatively well in polls, but they still remain behind labour. But as the alliance prepares for election season they seem determined to make their mark and a enthusiastic pool of volunteers, combined with some indirect support from church going Mordusians, ensures their campaign while likely be big in scale.

[imperialpearl]

The incumbent Mordusian Labor Party (MLP) has chosen Maryam Wallis-Lynch, a former tax accountant to replace outgoing Prime Minister Daniel Allen as leader of the party following earlier statements of his intention to retire from politics. In a secret ballot conducted by the party, Wallis-Lynch secured a landslide victory, securing around 51% of the votes cast, defeating major names such as Mason Temple, Jamie Newsome and Cameron Rigg. With the Labor party entering into the 5005 elections with major competition from two, relatively new right-wing political parties, there is an uneasiness in the air as to whether the Labor party could hold out against a potential coalition of the Freedom Party of Mordusia and the Mordusian People's Party. Last month, the Mordusian People's Party launched its campaign, with the party's leader Connor Anderson commanding considerable control of an amalgamation of right-wing political organisations. At the launch of the party's federal programme, Anderson slammed the incumbent labor party's management of the national economy and Mordusia's foreign and defence policies. Promising to address issues such as housing and financial policy, Anderson railed against the labor party in a speech being called the "Hamilton Address". The speech has drawn the ire of the labor party's economic/financial managers with incumbent Federal Treasurer and Former Foreign Affairs Minister Jamie Newsome calling the address "complete garbage". Defending the economic and financial reforms enacted when Prime Minister Allen had been Federal Treasurer under the last Kane-Ministry and the reforms enacted by him, Newsome stated that due to said reforms, Mordusia was in a much better place than it was prior to the Labor Party's rise to power. He noted that the lacklustre state of the nation's banking sector triggered government intervention to prevent both a credit crunch and a potential collapse of the national payments system. Citing the nationalisation of Dominion Bank, Newsome highlighted the importance of financial regulation as a means of ensuring stability within the domestic financial system. Championing the government's infrastructure development programme which launched into action the development and construction of the National Highway System, Newsome chided the MPP stating that the party's "idioms" of financial stability are lip-service when matched against the labor party's reforms and its plans for the future.

On the heels of the election, Wallis-Lynch stated that should the Labor Party return to power in 5005, the party intends on continuing with its expansionary fiscal policy agenda. In a speech following the announcement of her ascension to the political leader of the Mordusian Labor Party, she stated that her government will govern on the principles of inclusion and progressivism. She highlighted a series of policy objectives to be set out by her labor government should the party return.

An MLP labor government will bring into fruition a federal green policy agenda to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and continue the work of the last government in transforming this nation into a green economy hub. We will launch the first federal green bond to assist in the financing of future green energy projects. We will continue the work of the incumbent government in operationalising superannuation, and reforms to social welfare. We will launch a national digital economy policy aiming to leverage technology on the federal level to enhance governance and productivity. We will bring into fruition the Business Development Bank to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs in accessing financing for growth. We will operationalise a mining and carbon tax and allow for those funds to be placed into a sovereign wealth fund to build capital for future development. This Labor Party will deliver that should this nation re-elect us in May 5005.

[imperialpearl]

On the backdrop of the Labor Party's crippling defeat in the 5005 elections against the MPP and the Green, former Acting Prime Minister and leader of the MLP's centre faction, Jamie Newsome has launched an official challenge against Maryam Wallis-Lynch, stating that the population had made it extremely clear that it did not want the style of leadership which Wallis-Lynch exhibited. The Labor Party's supermajority of 168 seats under the Allen administration had dwindled to a mere 34, as the party's control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives was completely obliterated by the right-wing wave. Political analysts are attributing the party's defeat in the election to vote-splitting at the hands of both the Freedom Party and the Greens. One expert noted that although the party had previously commanded the confidence of young voters, the policy agenda proposed by Wallis-Lynch forced many young voters into the camps of the MPP, the FPM and the GPM. Newsome accused Wallis-Lynch of being incapable of leading the Labor Party into government, stating that her policies came off as an insult for many voters, who stated that the party assumed that they had commanded both the respect and confidence of the wider population with unexplained policies and a lack of clarity. It is true that the Labor Party was the only political party outside of the greens to have never released its manifesto for the election, seeking instead for the population to re-elect it on the party's reforms during the Allen and Kane Administrations. Newsome stated that the Labor Party should have released a manifesto to the public for its scrutiny, citing that it had an obligation to do so as the largest party in both the Senate and House of Representatives at the time. Labor Leader Wallis-Lynch stated that she intends on contesting the leadership challenge because the Labor Party should not deviate from its traditional centre-left foundation to appease centrist votes. MPs, Senators and former Ministers of the Kane and Allen Administrations are expected to cast their support to Newsome's campaign. In an interview on the steps of the party's headquarters in Kimberly, Newsome stated that should he win the leadership challenge he intends on reforming the Labor Party towards a technocratic administration, citing the fact that the proposed candidates for Wallis-Lynch's shadow cabinet are not experts in their respective fields. He gave examples such as proposed Shadow Treasurer Aidan Davies had been a low-level union secretary prior to being appointed a Senator and subsequently Shadow Treasurer. Dr Elizabeth Zimmerman, the inaugural Shadow Treasurer of the Labor Party had been replaced by Davies after a spat with Wallis-Lynch on the party's performance during the election. Insiders have stated that she has joined Newsome's centrist faction.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: rd.nl

Randworth: The Mordusian People's Party has won a incredible victory in the federal elections, securing over 104 of the 200 seats in parliament and booting out the Labor government in favour of a majority MPP government. The respective parties, the MHDU and the MCP, have celebrated in their party HQ's of Kimberley and Griffith. The immense success of the alliance, which will come into parliament with a majority, is largely attributed to the lose nature of the party list with the MHDU focussing campaigning efforts on social issues in the south and the MCP going on the economic path, focussing on northern issues. They mostly campaigned under the MPP banner but kept their original names for local races, which has caused the party to win a massive amount of power both federally and locally. They will likely be represented in 4 of 5 state governments and completely control the federal government, granting them near absolute executive power.

Conor Anderson, the alliance its candidate for Prime Minister, celebrated the results in a after election speech.

It is a day we expected to come but i doubt any of us expected it to come this soon! Our alliance, of north and south, MHDU and MCP, has come out victorious in this election. It is clear that our calls for moral leadership and a return to innovation and tradition has stricken a cord with ordinary Mordusians. Our new MPP administration will, both locally and federally, bring jobs, houses and profit to the ordinary people of Mordusia and establish a new standard for future administrations to abide by. An end has come to interventionism, a end has come to a government so big and powerfull that the ordinary Mordusians need to fear it. This new MPP administration will make sure the government works for all of us, not just for their own enrichment. In my first 100 days as Prime Minister we will pass a major taxcut for middle and low income workers, boosting their purchasing power and giving them room to invest, save or give them breathing room. We will get rid of the Federal Ministry of State Enterprise to give the message that the MPP government will focus on the ability of you, the Mordusian people, to innovate and start your own bussiness and last but not least we will enact social and securty reforms, to make sure our nation gets back its moral compass and is well protected by our security forces. Thank you! And lets do this!

The new government has already been passed through parliament with the Governor-General appointing Anderson PM, it is expected that despite their massive electoral win the center-right Anderson will seek cooperation with the FPM as a way to create a "friendly" atmosphere of right leaning parties.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Wikimedia

Randworth: Despite the MPP being the only party actively calling on others to vote against the appointment of now governor of the reserve bank Charlotte Down the government, in a statement by the Federal Treasury, announced that it would not replace ms. Down as governor. Some pundits had speculated about her position, citing the "lack of trust" between the new Anderson government and ms. Down. But in the released statement all doubt has been cast aside, with the new Treasurer Jordan Burke citing that,"The reserve bank needs to act as a stabilizing force on the financial market. This government is of the believe that by removing a recently appointed governor we would create unnecesary instability and volatility in a institution and market that thrives under stability. We have decided to keep ms. Down for the remainder of her term."

Later in the statement the possibility to remove a governor if in "high breach" of government monetary policy remained clear and "the government will act if the financial stability of the country is at stakes." It is a statement that is welcomed by the market, with the stock market seeing a small uptick when the statement was released. Many are happy with the governments decision, seeing it as a step to stability and familiarity. The discussion over Down her position was sparked by her history as a expert in Kodonomics, with some within the MPP and right leaning spectrum actively questioning whether it was smart to have a believer of Kodonomics on as governor of the Reserve bank. That discussion has, at least for now, been quelled.

[imperialpearl]

The risk of bank failure looms over the Mordusian banking sector. Having withstood numerous contractions and consecutive depressions, the long-term stability of the Mordusian banking sector is in doubt. Without significant reform to the sector, its growth and stability could be hindered by numerous market shocks caused by events that could very well be out of the control of the Mordusian Government. For example, bank failures in the world’s largest economies could potentially send ripple effects to banks in Mordusia and henceforth reduce confidence in the banking sector’s ability to withstand shocks. Earlier this morning, on the backdrop of the need to formally begin the process of establishing a robust regulatory framework for ensuring Mordusia's banking sector remains stable and it’s capable of withstanding future shocks of greater magnitudes, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Mordusia Dr Charlotte Down announced that the Reserve Bank would begin stress testing all major financial institutions in Mordusia to ensure that they are prepared to withstand future shocks and to build resilience in the domestic banking sector. The decision comes on the heels of a similar decision to be imposed on the securities market by the Mordusian Securities and Exchange Commission. Dr Down explained that the stress tests would be conducted by the Reserve Bank’s Inspectorate of Financial Institutions on an annual basis and would seek to determine a financial institution’s ability to withstand numerous market shocks whilst also maintaining the supply of credit to lenders and credit holders, even in times of serious uncertainty. Inspector of Financial Institutions, Ethan Wilson, in underscoring Dr Down's point on the purpose of the stress tests, elaborated on some of the ways in which banks tend to fail. He noted “bank runs” occur whereby depositors withdraw all of their cash from their accounts within a given bank (often in times of panic), thus triggering a liquidity crisis as the banks would not have the necessary liquidity to meet the demands of their depositors. Another way banks tend to fail is due to credit crunches wherein some banks would be deemed too fragile for other banks to commit to loan agreements. Mr Wilson explained that the Inspectorate’s stress tests would ensure that banks are capable of steering clear of the aforementioned failure scenarios and charting a long-term course towards continued financial stability. To preempt the public announcement, the Inspectorate of Financial Institutions conducted a preliminary stress test on 10 of Mordusia's largest financial institutions. Mr Wilson explained that in the instances where banks are incapable of clearing the minimum capital ratio they must aggressively move towards increasing their capital reserves. Wilson added that banks will be given a reasonable timeframe to increase their capital reserves, noting that failure to do so within the prescribed time frame would result in heavy fines.

[imperialpearl]

The question of the informal economy remains of particular concern to Governor of the Reserve Bank of Mordusia, Dr Charlotte Down who believes that its continued growth could be suggesting a much more serious economic issue. The informal economy/sector is primarily comprised of the thousands of microentrepreneurs who exist outside of the regulatory and legal protection of the state. Many of the businesses which operate in this sector mainly do not make contributions to national insurance, pay little to no taxes and are primarily do not adhere to labour laws. It is in this sector where the majority of Mordusia's migrant and low-income earners obtain employment. The Reserve Bank estimates that the informal economy can account for around 10-13% of the nation's GDP. "Cash in Hand" jobs account for a large percentage of the population of the informal economy, as many persons continue to live on the daily income of their microentrepreneurial activities. These cash in hand arrangements, according to Dr Down is seriously hinder the state's revenue. Although work on reducing the size of the informal economy had begun under the previous government, Dr Down is urging the new government to continue working to reduce the informal economy's size. When asked as to the Reserve Bank's response to the informal economy, Dr Down stated that the bank had begun internal discussions on the potential issuing of a digital currency, stating that the use of a digital currency could potentially assist in transitioning many businesses from the informal economy into the formal economy. She noted that not many central banks have successfully operationalised a digital currency, with there being little to no template for the bank to base its potential implementation on. She explained that central banks throughout the world had been hesitant to enter the digital currency discussion primarily because of the uncertainty behind the relationship between digital currencies and fiat currencies especially in the view of the fact that many of the cryptocurrencies currently in circulation are not underneath government regulation. At a lecture series at the University of Rimly, Dr Down stated that although the reserve bank's potential use of a digital currency could potentially aid in formalising the informal economy, it should not be viewed as the "be all and end all" solution to the problem.

Addressing the situation of the informal economy is not something that can be done overnight with a simple monetary/fiscal policy change. It is one that will take time. However, we can aid the process in utilising multiple monetary and fiscal policy interventions along the way. I can say that the Reserve Bank is considering the use of digital currency, however, it should not be viewed as a "be all and end all" but should be supported by structural reforms and incentives. Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy has to work hand-in-hand and although the Reserve Bank is responsible for monetary policy and financial stability, the informal economy affects both the economy and the financial system. Thus, the government has to potentially look at some of the examples coming out of Rimly with the use of e-commerce tax credits, digital literacy, automation tax credits, business development banks, reforms to how pensions are organised and the role of businesses in contributing to the pension schemes of employees. These are fiscal policy decisions, these are the decisions that the Reserve Bank cannot address. The process was started by the previous government, I think that addressing this issue is one of the few policies which should be carried over into this new administration. Whatever policies are to be implemented is for the Federal Treasurer to decide.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Health News Florida

Randworth: The Anderson government has proposed a series of social reforms that would see abortions and euthanasia rights cut back as well as reintroduce Hosianism as the state religion. The move is criticized by civil rights activists for "throwing us back decades" while hosians and conservatives alike have praised the government for proposing reforms to return moral values to Mordusia, something that was mentioned in their electoral program. The reforms would mean a massive series of restrictions on certain rights that were deemed untouchable since their introduction and marks a clear shift to the right for the once center-left country. Prime Minister Conor Anderson stated that, "these proposals are in line with our electoral program and show me and my governments determination for strong moral leadership in a world where left wing politics have become the norm."

The Prime Minister further emphasized the need for clearer social boundaries and for "politicians to speak up and stand for what is right." He also emphasized that the new restrictions do not completely ban abortion, "abortion will still be a option for early pregnancies, the government will simply not fund a practice like this and seeks to make potential parents realize the consequences of this action." Other reforms in the package include new viewing restrictions for movies in theatres, with age requirements being introduced for movies with "gore and nudity", the illegalization of adultry and moving recreational drug policy from the federal government to the states, allowing the states to pick their own policy on the matter. Several civil rights groups have filed lawsuits against the government, it is inclear when these cases will be taken up. The reforms are set to pass in 6 months time.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: NBC

Randworth: Prime Minister Anderson stood before parliament today to talk about his governments plans to privatize large swathes of state owned property following the disbanding of the Ministry for State Enterprise. The decision comes on the heels of major economic reforms, to be presented to Parliament in the coming days. The reforms reportedly include reforms to the pension system, reforms to labor laws and additional deregulations of the economy. While the economy will receive a fresh wind of deregulation, the banking sector will reportedly undergo some regulations meant to keep it stable in the wake of new private developments. Prime Minister Anderson said his government seeks to, "find a healthy compromise between government regulation, ownership and private competition and innovation." The plan to privatize state owned enterprise is in line with the small government policies of the Anderson administration. In the privatization plans the companies of TeleMORD, Postal Corporation of Mordusia (PostMordusia), Schismatic Railway Corporation, State Bank of Mordusia and the Mordusian Broadcasting Corporation will either be fully or partially privatized. TeleMORD will remain majority state owned but receive a private structure to operate from, with 40% of its shares likely put on the stock market. PostMordusia will be fully privatized, with some regulations being maintained to ensure smooth operation. The SRC will see 60% of its shares sold, practically making it a private enterprise, with the government maintaining a 40% share to keep some influence. The SBM will see a similar structure take shape while the MBC will be completely privatized, falling under private media laws once the process is complete.

The privatizations has drawn criticism from critics on the left, who state that it endangers certain vital services and could make Mordusia more vulnerable. In early questioning PM Anderson stated his government believes these changes "will bring a new sense of cost saving mentality and innovation to every industry we privatize in, ensuring the state doesnt pay to much while the people receive better services. Let it be clear we dont let lose these industries and will maintain some level of regulation to ensure a smooth transition and running of these companies."

[imperialpearl]

Economic Development Coordinator for the Mordusian Labor Party, Dr David Hamblin has stated that the government's policies on renewable energy and Mordusia's energy mix are "unorganised" and "lacking in substance". The statement comes on the heels of the recent Joint Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change's investigation into the future of Mordusia's reliance on imported fuel and the green economy. During the committee hearing, Federal Minister of Economic Development, Maica Macfair provided an update to the committee on the government's progress in addressing the nation's energy concerns. In the update, she stated that the ecological reforms enacted by the government were intended to prove "much-needed room to increase production" and invest in newer forms of power generation. Speaking to the immediate environmental concerns which will come out of increased energy production from coal and natural-gas power plants, she stated that the government's reforestation plans would address increased CO2 emissions. The statement immediately obtained the ire of committee member for the Mordusian Labor Party, Toby Tran who stated that the absurdity of the policy was both "shocking and angering." In a blistering retort of the Minister's assessment of the nation's future energy independence, he stated that it was clear that the policy had "never come across the desk of an environmentalist, an energy economist, let alone someone capable of understanding what it would mean for the environment when you have increased CO2 production coupled with young forests." Dr Hamblin stated that he had agreed with Mr Tran's comments stating that the government's policy on the future of Mordusia's energy mix, energy independence and its use of renewable energy was "dead on arrival". He stated that the policy was not within the range of realism and appreciation of the seriousness of the situation, noting that foreign exchange and the subsequent drainage of forex at the hands of imports was a persistent issue underneath the previous government. He stated that the government should return to the drawing board on its energy policy and return after it has undergone scrutiny "of at least one competent sole".

It is very clear that the policy is simply pandering to the whims of private investors and donators and is not addressing this matter seriously. If the Minister wants to make an honest politician of herself she would find the courage to return to the drawing board. This policy is as cheap as it is hollow and will not put a dent in carbon emissions, reduce our reliance on imported fuel nor will it reduce the strain on our foreign exchange reserves. What separates the policy of the last government from this is that the concept of encouraging the use of renewable energy resources, making it easier for persons to utilise renewable energy resources via subsidies, utilising federal infrastructure to aid in state and local governments to meet pre-determined renewable energy targets; all of these contributed to a holistic approach to address this nation's energy policy. I would encourage the government to take the concerns of the people seriously because we are entitled to a better standard than this.