Labour’s rates pledge a joke
Rodney Hide Tuesday, 19 July 2005 Press Releases - Taxation
ACT Leader Rodney Hide today branded Labour’s rates rebate pledge a joke.
“Labour has done everything it can to increase people’s rates.
“Under Labour, councils have collected over 37% more in rates from people. Adjusted for inflation that’s a 20% real
rise.
“Labour’s power of general competence and burdening councils with more and more functions are responsible. Then, they
blocked my private members bill, which would have capped rates increases to the rate of inflation plus 2%.
“Labour has treated ratepayers with contempt for six years, then just weeks out from an election they decide to throw
the elderly an election bribe.
“Labour’s 1999 pledge was that no more than 5 percent of taxpayers would pay the highest tax rate of 39 cents. Now 22
percent of full time workers are paying 39 cents.
“People should dismiss this as the cynical vote-buying ploy it is. Too little, too late,” Mr Hide said.
ENDS