22 August 2005

National's tax bribe will fall flat

The Green Party says National's policy to cut income tax for middle- and upper-income earners will fall flat because voters will see it for what it is - a massive election bribe.

"At least Labour's new tax relief policy is targeted towards families in need, whereas National's vote grab lacks any subtlety whatsoever," Co-Leader Rod Donald says.

"I believe Brash's bid for the Primeministership will backfire because voters don't trust him not to sell off our heritage or mortgage our future to pay for his imprudent tax policy.

"Most New Zealanders would rather pay a reasonable level of tax in return for good quality health, education and other services. They certainly don't want to pay more to go to the doctor because the Government has cut back public services to pay for tax cuts.

"The Green Party remains committed to pushing Labour to extend its Working for Families package to embrace the children of beneficiary families. And we will continue to promote our own policy of shifting tax off work and enterprise and on to waste and pollution by giving everyone a $15-a-week tax cut and paying for it with a suite of eco-taxes."

ENDS

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