Grant Robertson
MP for Wellington Central
Finance Spokesperson
National’s tax cuts reckless and irresponsible
It is time for Bill English and Steven Joyce to stop the scaremongering and lies, and front up to New Zealanders about
the impact of their tax cuts, Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson says.
“Bill English has no credibility on tax issues. He was the Finance Minister in a Government that increased GST after
specifically ruling that out in the election campaign.
“National has introduced 18 new taxes, levies and charges, including one on the capital gain from an investment property
within two years. Again, National never talked about this in an election campaign.
“Today National have an advertisement saying Labour will increase personal taxes. This is completely untrue.
“Let’s set the record straight: Contrary to National’s patently false scaremongering about income tax, Labour’s families
package makes 70 per cent of families with kids better off than under National.
“What we will do is reverse the tax cuts proposed by Bill English and Steven Joyce that will see $400 million a year go
to the top ten per cent of New Zealanders.
“Those tax cuts are reckless and irresponsible at a time when so many of the big issues facing New Zealand are getting
worse.
“How can tax cuts be responsible when homelessness is at record levels and the OECD have said we are the worst in the
world?
“How can tax cuts be responsible when hospitals are putting up the house full sign, and our mental health system is
collapsing under hugely increased demand?
“How can tax cuts be responsible when our schools are so stretched that they have to ask parents for more and more money
to just do the basics?
“New Zealanders know these tax cuts are wrong and that National have got their priorities badly wrong. Even the majority
of CEOs in yesterday's Mood of The Boardroom said now is not the time for tax cuts.
“The reality is that after nine years of National Government the basic services that New Zealanders rely on are running
on empty, and many families are being left out.
“We can be better than that and Labour has the plan to make this happen, by rejecting National's tax cuts and investing
in our targeted families package and in the public services Kiwis rely on,” says Grant Robertson.
ENDS