PRIME TIME WITH SEAN PLUNKET
9 40 FRIDAYS ON PRIME

BILL ENGLISH v DAVID PARKER
plus Jo Doolan (Ernst and Young)
Geoff Simmons (Morgan Foundation)

Tax --- can we afford cuts and how would a capital gains tax work?

Tax is now at the top of the political campaign agenda.

On Tuesday night David Cunliffe didn't know the details of his party's Capital Gains Tax which has been party policy since the last election.

Meanwhile Bill English is said to be considering announcing tax cuts next week even though the Government's Pre Election Fiscal Update last month offered only one scenario in which total tax revenue would increase over the next four years and that was dependent on a strengthening of the US economy.

But Labour is also being criticised for its plans to increase taxation to 36$ on incomes over $150,000 even though that is a 3% drop on its 2011 policy.
Tax is the big issues for the two Economic Spokespeople --- but there are also real questions about what's going to happen in the economy over the next three years.

This week global dairy trade auction prices fell by 6% to their lowest level since 2012. Fonterra has dropped its payout forecast for the current season from $7kg to $6kg for milk solids.

All of this comes with growing concerns that China's economy is starting to slow again. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that China's economy faced further headwinds after two measures of factory output decelerated in August, adding pressure on Beijing to stimulate growth to meet the nation's annual target.The results disclosed on Monday follow weaker investment, real estate and retail data in recent weeks. How valid then are Treasury forecasts showing unemployment falling over the enxt foru years.

Plainly this could have implications for Treasury forecasts of falling unemployment over the enxt foru years.

With Mr English and Mr Parker will be Ernst and Young Tax Partner and leader of the company' s China Business Group, JO DOOLAN and Morgan Foundation economist, GEOFF SIMMONS.THIS IS A UNIQUE CHANCE TO HEAR FROM THE MAIN PLAYERS AND REAl EXPERTS ON THE BIGGEST ISSUES FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

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