Message to Cullen: Cut taxes now!

Friday, 29 April 2005

Press Releases - Economy

ACT Leader Rodney Hide today called on Finance Minister Michael Cullen to deliver a tax cut for every worker in next month’s Budget.

Mr Hide’s call was in response to a new National Business Review poll that shows the number of Kiwis who think they pay too much tax has skyrocketed by 21 percent to 62 percent since two years ago.

"Hard-working Kiwis are fed up with being overtaxed and support ACT's position that the big surpluses should be returned to New Zealanders as tax cuts," Mr Hide said.

Mr Hide said taxation is out of control under Labour, pointing to over 30 new or increased taxes, levies and duties, including the 1 April petrol tax rise. Further, the amount of income tax collected from people has ballooned by 40 percent.

“Just today it was announced that Labour has grabbed off New Zealanders over $38 billion in tax for the nine months to March – above Treasury forecasts. That’s nine percent higher than what they fleeced of Kiwis at the same period a year earlier.

"ACT is the only low tax party in Parliament. National has backed away from significant tax cuts and flip-flopped on the Cullen fund, limiting their room to move fiscally.

"ACT will reduce the top personal rate of tax to 25c in the dollar and drop the 21c rate to 15c. These two rates of tax would deliver a decent tax cut for every worker.

"The way to ensure tax cuts in New Zealand is for workers to give their party vote to ACT,” Mr Hide said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media