INDEPENDENT NEWS

De-Coding Dr Cullen

Published: Fri 6 Aug 1999 03:43 PM
Cullen’s latest statement defending Labour’s promises is typical of wacky Labour logic, Bob Simcock, Hamilton West MP said today.
“It is a confusing, self-contradictory jumble that is impossible to decipher”, Mr Simcock said, “He seems to think that we will assume that because he is such a clever man it must be our fault that we can’t make any sense of what he says. Let’s look at his words:”
‘Our Superannuation Policy is not a spending policy but a saving policy’.
‘The Superannuation Fund will be raised from existing income taxes’.
‘We plan to keep taxes slightly higher in order to pre-fund the cost of supporting baby boomers in their retirement.’
‘The additional $1.5 billion…will be funded by dividing the budget surplus in two parts.’
“These quotes all come from one press statement! Perhaps Labour has decided to replace its no policy strategy with a strategy of policy so obscure no one can pin them down on it”.
Does the super policy cost an extra $1.5 billion? Will it be funded from;
(a) existing taxes;
(b) increased taxes;
(c) surpluses;
(d) nothing because it’s a “saving policy not a spending policy”?
“Is this like Labour’s extra spending on Foreign Aid. ‘We’ll do it sometime, maybe, if we can ever afford it’?”
“If that’s the strength of Labour’s commitment to it’s credit card promises voters have a right to know”, Mr Simcock concluded
ENDS.

Next in New Zealand politics

Canterbury Spotted Skink In Serious Trouble
By: Department of Conservation
Oranga Tamariki Cuts Commit Tamariki To State Abuse
By: Te Pati Maori
Inflation Data Shows Need For A Plan On Climate And Population
By: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
Annual Inflation At 4.0 Percent
By: Statistics New Zealand
West Coast Swim Spot Testing Clear Of E-coli
By: Brendon McMahon - Local Democracy Reporter
Government Throws Coal On The Climate Crisis Fire
By: Green Party
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media