Media statement
For immediate release
Wednesday, 10 November 2004

Dunne welcomes Cullen’s ‘musings’ on rates

United Future leader, Peter Dunne, today described as gratifying indications that the Finance Minister Dr Cullen is beginning to listen to the growing demand for tax relief.

Dr Cullen was reported today as giving Federated Farmers’ National Council his personal view that the current rating system discriminates against rural areas and people on low incomes such as the elderly.

“This is precisely what United Future has been arguing for the past two years,” said Mr Dunne, “so it’s pleasing to see these ideas are being picked up.

“Paying rates on land value, rather than services consumed, makes life very hard for the farmer with several hundred hectares of land or the older person who lives in an area once considered remote, but is now fashionable and expensive.

“United Future has been advocating tax relief through removing GST from the rates bill as one way of lightening the load and we urge Dr Cullen and his Cabinet colleagues to give this thoughtful consideration,” Mr Dunne said.

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