Wednesday, 31 August 2005

United Future challenges National and Labour on income-splitting

United Future leader Peter Dunne today challenged the leaders of both major parties to come clean as to where they stood with regard to allowing parents to split their incomes for tax purposes.

"Both major parties have suddenly found that there is sufficient money to fund increased spending and tax relief.

"However both major parties avoid recognising the value of parents caring for their own children in the home. United Future is the only party during this campaign to commit to income-splitting as firm policy.

"Income splitting recognises that bringing up children in the home is a valuable activity in its own right.

"United Future does not accept the loony left social engineering that treats parents as second-class citizens compared to union-endorsed professionals" said Mr Dunne.

"At the same time National has avoided the issue because it regards parents at home as inefficient economic units detracting from GDP growth.

"Only United Future gives clear recognition of the hard work done by parents looking after their own children. We say it should be a parent's choice as to who cares for their child.

"The tax system should be there to serve families - not the other way around.

"This is a crucial issue for many thousands of parents throughout New Zealand.

"Voters have a right to know where the two major parties stand on income-splitting.

It's time now for parents to send a message to the government -regardless of whether it's got a blue or red tinge - that they want their work valued appropriately. Only a party vote for United Future can deliver that message," said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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