For immediate release
20 May 2010
We needed Robin Hood budget, but got Sherriff of Nottingham instead
Bank workers union Finsec says that with this budget, the National Government has flipped the Robin Hood story and are
taking from the poor to give to the rich.
“With international calls growing for a “Robin Hood” tax (a small extra tax on banks), and an urgent need to help
ordinary Kiwis who are suffering as a result of the recession, the Government has got this budget badly wrong,” said
Finsec General Secretary Andrew Casidy. “Yes, there are across the board tax cuts – but the biggest cuts are being
delivered to those on the highest incomes. They are simply unfair.”
“Our members see many families who are struggling to keep up with their day to day expenses even without a GST
increase,” said Casidy. “National’s tax cuts favouring large corporates and high income earners will simply increase the
divide between rich and poor in this country and make things even more unequal, which will be bad for everyone.”
“We need government to invest in jobs and in the social services that will help our most vulnerable through tough
times. Instead, the wealthiest New Zealanders will benefit the most from today’s tax cuts – the very people who can best
afford to contribute more to a fairer society.”
ENDS