Wednesday, 24 August 2005
Hon Matt Robson MP, Progressive Deputy Leader
Business should look to Progressive after National's tax snub
Individual businesspeople in Auckland are shocked that National won't cut the company tax rate next year even if Don
Brash were to become Prime Minister, Progressive MP Matt Robson said today.
"National on Monday admitted that its programme for New Zealand doesn't include any cut to the corporate tax rate next
year, or the year after that.
"The press-statement-happy business lobby groups that issue statements endorsing every second word that comes out of
National Party HQ are, I believe, seriously out-of- kilter with many of their membership on this vital issue to economic
development and productivity growth," the Progressive MP said.
"Look, I even heard one business lobby group bureaucrat try and trivialize the negative implications for small
businesses' borrowing costs that would arise from National's massive income tax cut proposals. For goodness sake, even
National admits its big income tax cuts would be part-funded by issuing more Government Debt to overseas lenders.
"Increased government bond issuance by definition means higher interest rate charges for every Kiwi mortgage holder and
every small business person in New Zealand.
"I am shocked that business lobby groups, like some of the corporate bank-sponsored economists-cum-commentators that we
hear so much from every election cycle, can be so unbelievably soft on National just because they might go to the same
cocktail parties.
"Small businesses' interest rate bills would be higher under National because Don Brash and John Key are threatening to
significantly increase Central Government's overseas borrowing programme and it is a disgrace that business lobby
bureaucrats can betray small business people by staying silent on these vital issues," Matt Robson said.
"With National constantly squabbling with its allies NZ First and UFO, it is becoming increasingly clear to the
practical-minded, business people that I talk to that the next coalition government is going to be led by Helen Clark.
"I say to business people that want New Zealand to maintain its six-year economic winning run against Australia to give
your Party Vote to Progressive so our party can advocate for a company tax cut next year at the next coalition Cabinet
table," Matt Robson said.
ENDS