22 August 2005
National's tax bribe will fall flat
The Green Party says National's policy to cut income tax for middle- and upper-income earners will fall flat because
voters will see it for what it is - a massive election bribe.
"At least Labour's new tax relief policy is targeted towards families in need, whereas National's vote grab lacks any
subtlety whatsoever," Co-Leader Rod Donald says.
"I believe Brash's bid for the Primeministership will backfire because voters don't trust him not to sell off our
heritage or mortgage our future to pay for his imprudent tax policy.
"Most New Zealanders would rather pay a reasonable level of tax in return for good quality health, education and other
services. They certainly don't want to pay more to go to the doctor because the Government has cut back public services
to pay for tax cuts.
"The Green Party remains committed to pushing Labour to extend its Working for Families package to embrace the children
of beneficiary families. And we will continue to promote our own policy of shifting tax off work and enterprise and on
to waste and pollution by giving everyone a $15-a-week tax cut and paying for it with a suite of eco-taxes."
ENDS