Copeland slams Opposition race claims

United Future finance spokesman, Gordon Copeland, has strongly disputed claims by National, New Zealand First and ACT that the new 19.5 cents in the dollar tax rate for Maori Authorities is race-based.

He says the current 25 cent rate for Maori Authorities is significantly higher than the 19.5 cent tax rate of 90 percent of the beneficiaries and, in addition, represents a double taxation (firstly on the Authority and secondly on the individual) since there is no way to claim back the tax overcharged.

"Clearly this is not only an anomaly, completely unjust and wrong, but it is also most unfortunate that it applies solely to Maori Authorities. Removing that anomaly will also remove a grave injustice, something which was clearly explained to the Opposition members of the select committee that considered the tax change.

"Accordingly their false claim that this is somehow a race-based law which favours Maori is empty and fallacious rhetoric of the worst kind.

"Parties look and act only out of frustration and desperation when they fabricate stories in a bid to attract votes."

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