MEDIA ADVISORY
Cullen’s taxpayer-funded lobbying is outrageous
The Tax Working Group process has become blatantly politicised with the Government’s decision to pay Sir Michael Cullen to continue lobbying for a capital gains tax, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.
Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “The advertised purpose of the Tax Working Group was to deliver an expert-driven
appraisal of the tax system along with a series of recommendations. That advice has now been received, but Sir Michael
is still being paid over $1000 a day to argue for higher taxes. Funding for expert advice is one thing, but
taxpayer-funded public campaigning is outrageous.”
“If the National Party set up a Steven Joyce led Working Group and paid Mr Joyce to get on radio and attack the Labour
Party and advocate for lower taxes, the political left would rightly get up in arms. It’s the same principle here:
expert advice should not be politicised at taxpayers’ expense.”
“Grassroots organisations like the Taxpayers’ Union campaign using voluntary donations. Proponents of the capital gains tax should try to do the same.”
ENDS