Dunne: Whinging ideologues add nothing of value

United Future leader Peter Dunne today slammed the "pontificating, do-nothing arrogance" of the Local Government Forum over its opposition to United Future's campaign to remove GST from rates.

"Along with the average Kiwi, I'm sick and tired of the incessant ideological whinging of these groups.

"All that ever comes from them is negative, short-sighted self-interest.

"This move would substantially benefit hundreds of thousands of New Zealand ratepayers, but all they ever get to is myopic positions of vested interest.

"The fact is that if they were genuine about addressing such an issue, they would work with us to achieve a fair solution.

"And what do we get instead? Arrogant pontificating from on high, safe and sure in the knowledge that they will never have to do anything," Mr Dunne said.

"No matter which way they want to spin it, GST on rates is a tax on a tax - and blind Freddie can see the unfairness of that."

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