Media Statement
5 June 2002
Act Tax and Economic Policies a “fast track to third world”
Alliance Leader Laila Harré has slammed Act’s tax and economic policies announced today as visionless and a “fast track
to the third world”, not the first world.
“Tax cuts, removal of environmental protections, removal of employment protections, removal of business supports,
selling of state assets…. These are simply the failed new right policies of 80s and 90s on acid,“ said Laila Harré.
“These are the same policies that saw the gap between the rich and the poor in New Zealand grow at a rate faster than
any other country in the developed world. I am appalled that Act not only want to take us back there, they want to go
further.”
“The proposal to slash business and regional development reeks of the failed hands off approach of the past. “
“Act is lying to the public when it says that there will be no cuts to health and education with this tax policy. The
current tax take barely sustains vital public services. Cutting taxes will result in cutting health and education
services.”
“The selection of Maori TV and capacity building in Maori and Pacific communities for cuts reeks of gutter politics. If
anything Maori and Pacific communities desperately need additional resources to address high levels of poverty, ill
health and educational disadvantage”, she said.
ENDS