22 August 2005

More broken promises

National’s tax policy release today will mark the culmination of a string of broken promises, says Finance Minister Michael Cullen.

“John Key told us on a number of occasions that the cost would be about $1 billion. Now it appears the personal tax changes alone will cost two and a half times that amount.

“Even to be able to make a flimsy pretence of affordability, just about every other promise National has made over the last couple of years has been jettisoned.

“Out the window have gone, amongst other promises: Removal of the 5 cents a litre petrol excise duty increase Big spending increases in defence The funding for abolishing parole.

“What’s left cannot even meet current service needs let alone the cost of compulsory bulk funding [$350 million if no school suffers a cut] or meeting the pressures on aged care services, for example.

“National’s throwing everything and borrowing more in a desperate bid to stave off a third election defeat. All that would save them in the unlikely event of election would be the fact that no other party likely to be in Parliament will vote for this nonsense,” Dr Cullen said.

ENDS

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