The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the sensible decision by Minister Judith Collins to discontinue $11.2 million taxpayer
funding for KiwiSaaS, a tech industry lobby group, but calls on the Government to go further and axe film and video game
subsidies too.
Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:
“Big tech companies putting their hands out and lobbying for taxpayer-funded corporate welfare is nothing more than
crony capitalism. Whether it’s tech, film or video games, it seems if your industry is flavour of the month anyone can
get a handout with the help of well-connected lobbyists.
“It’s good to see corporate welfare to the tech sector axed, but other Ministers must follow the lead of Minister
Collins end all other corporate welfare too.
“Cutting the roughly $100 million spent lining the pockets of Hollywood bigwigs and video game executives would go a
significant way to plugging the gap created by the recent Pharmac funding announcement. It’s time the Government fronted
up and explained the case for these handouts, rather than playing the quiet game and hoping no one notices. We have
noticed."