Bill English MP
National Party Finance Spokesman

21 October 2007

Rudd puts paid to Cullen’s anti-tax cut rhetoric

Michael Cullen should be eating his words now that both major political parties in Australia are promising far-reaching tax cuts, says National’s Finance spokesman, Bill English.

Mr English is commenting on ALP leader Kevin Rudd’s announcement that he will match John Howard’s $40 billion tax cut package.

“Dr Cullen dismissed John Howard’s plan as unworkable, describing it as ‘not the kind of programme you would expect from a Labour-led Government’.

“But Kevin Rudd has made a lie of that by pledging to match all but $3.4 billion of tax cuts.

“This of course means that despite who wins the Australian election, Australian workers will benefit from significant tax cuts in the next three to four years.

“An Australian on $40,000 a year will be paying about half the tax paid by a New Zealander on the same income.”

Mr English says while it’s good news for those across the tasman, the tax cuts will mean Australia will well and truly have locked in its tax lead over New Zealand, making it harder to retain workers right across the skill spectrum.

“Record numbers of New Zealanders are already leaving for Australia because the income gap makes it a much more attractive a destination to work and live.

“Unfortunately, the exodus will only hasten because of Michael Cullen’s stubborn refusal to reduce the tax burden for average wage earners.

“He prefers to sit on a massive surplus while our best and brightest leave the country in droves.”

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