PM breaks promise with dumb transport policy
3 APRIL 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union says the Government's proposal to increase fuel levies breaks Jacinda Ardern's promise
of ‘no new taxes’ and the widening of the Regional Transport Fund (paid for by petrol taxes) to include funding for
cycleways and trams is a dumb idea.
Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says, “The plan to increase fuel taxes by 10-12 cents per litre
means the Prime Minister is breaking her very clear pre-election promise of ‘no new taxes’."
“Fuel tax is particularly harmful because of its regressive nature – the people it hurts most are poorer families living
in fringe suburbs. This will ultimately mean less food on the table.”
“Aucklanders will be whacked twice over, with today’s fuel tax announcement applying on top of the proposed regional
fuel tax.”
“And as if fuel tax hikes didn’t sting enough, the Government is going to be using the revenue to fund cycleways and
trams, at the same time they’re slashing funding for highways. In other words, drivers are paying more to receive less.”
ENDS