INDEPENDENT NEWS

"Use The Surplus To Save Lives"

Published: Thu 12 Oct 2006 09:40 AM
"Use The Surplus To Save Lives"
Grey Power President, Mr Graham Stairmand said today that the Government should use some of its huge surplus to help save lives by restraining domestic electricity prices. Thousands of households in New Zealand suffer from fuel poverty which causes major health problems for children and the elderly. This would be a far better use of the surplus than any tax reductions.
Much of the income the Government is receiving comes from the excess revenue it receives from the electricity supply industry and it is the consumers that should get any rebates that are coming. Tax reductions are only a real benefit to the high income earners and the overseas investors in our major industries. This includes electricity production and retail, consequently any tax reductions in these areas goes offshore.
It is in the Governments hands to constrain the profiteering that is currently rampant in the electricity supply industry.
The money would be far better spent on improving the health of the nation, and keeping people properly warm will achieve a lot more than pouring more money into the public health system.
ENDS

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