Belinda Vernon
MP for Maungakiekie

MEDIA RELEASE

Belinda Vernon, Deputy Chair of the Finance and Expenditure Committee endorsed the recommendations of the Committee's report on the IRD inquiry.

"The recommendations are a sensible, measured response to issues identified within the IRD."

"It is disappointing that some members of the Committee have felt the need to attack the IRD head, Graham Holland and call for his resignation. The majority of the Committee never intended the inquiry to be a Star Chamber," said Belinda Vernon. "I hope that Graham Holland can continue to lead future change in the Department building on change he has already initiated."

"While recognising that there are critical issues that need to be addressed within the IRD, it is important not to blow these out of proportion. The majority of taxpayers have an uneventful relationship with the IRD.

"The Committee's report has constructive suggestions to give the Department the tools to help taxpayers resolve tax disputes. The recommendation to establish a problem resolution service goes a long way to address this issue. In addition the establishment of a specialist tax adviser within the Office of the Ombudsman gives the taxpayer access to impartial decision making."

"Taxpayers however should not expect that these changes will do away with their obligation and legal requirement to pay tax. "

"We need to appreciate that taxpayers have an obligation to pay tax and the Department has an obligation to collect it."

"Grandstanding by individual members of the committee is not constructive, nor is it in the best interests of New Zealand taxpayers," Ms Vernon concluded.

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