Cullen is the Grinch who Stole Christmas
Finance Minister Michael Cullen’s December Economic and Fiscal Update shows him for what he is - the Grinch who stole
Christmas from working families, ACT Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide said today.
“Working families struggling to afford the cost of Christmas can blame Labour for making them worse off. Under Cullen,
New Zealanders have suffered a three percent cut in their real after tax wages and salaries over the last three years.
That’s why families are struggling this Christmas.
“Today, Finance Minister Michael Cullen has officially explained where all the money has gone - to the Government.
“The December Economic Fiscal Update (DEFU) shows a government awash with cash this Christmas - with surplus forecasts
for the year being revised upwards by $1.3 billion, to $3.5 billion. This compares to pre-election forecasts of a $2.26
billion surplus.
“This is almost $1,000 unnecessarily taken from every single man, woman and child.
“The Government is awash with money taken from raising taxes and charges – not just on income, but on everything from
tobacco to petrol to marriage licences.
“The DEFU shows the government did not really need all this money. They’ve taken billions more from working families
than was needed. A good, hefty dose of tax relief is what families need this Christmas. The Grinch won’t give it to
them, but ACT will,” Mr Hide said.