Now a New Growth Tax

Media release
7 November 2003

Now a New Growth Tax

The 'no new taxes' list now has a new entry, the $20 million the Government proposes to plunder from business to meet its own border security costs says Business New Zealand.

Chief Executive Simon Carlaw says that this new tax is simply punitive. Security is a clear-cut public good that is properly funded by all taxpayers. It should not be another tax on business growth and our international trade.

"No one quibbles with effective security or the reasons for its enhancement. Grabbing back the equivalent of ten percent of the money the Government endlessly talks about that is directed to regional, trade and industry development is a curious incentive for exporters already facing higher compliance costs.

"Where does this process stop? Why not a sliding scale of charges applicable to each police call-out or a higher fee for those that set off the bell at airport security?"

ENDS

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