16 September 2005

On Saturday, the electoral choice facing New Zealand is stark.

Continued control and regulation from Labour, where the government knows best, OR making your own choices under National, where people can take responsibility for their own life with their own money.

A divisive society, where race sets the agenda, OR a nation under one law for the benefit of everyone.

An education system of mediocrity and wastage that is typical of the last five years, OR an education system that values excellence, accountability and parental choice that we will rebuild.

National has deliberately made taxation the centrepiece of the campaign.

Over the last decade, our nation has done well. That's why there is a large surplus. It is time for New Zealanders to reap the rewards of their share of their own hard work.

National has proposed a fair tax package that will benefit everyone:

* Lower income tax rate of 15%, for incomes from $9,500 to $12,500

* Standard income tax rate - 19% from $12,500 up to $50,000 * Mid income tax rate - 33% from $50,000 up to $100,000.

For a police officer, or a nurse, teacher or tradesperson on $50,000, that's a tax cut of $2,400 per year; or $48 per week.

For higher income earners, a tax cut of $4800 per year.

Superannuitants get an increase in super. For a married couple:

· From 1 April 2006 - $6.20 per week.

This tax package is essentially is all paid out of the surplus of $7.4 billion. National's tax package is $3.9 billion. There will still be surplus of $3.5 billion.

Our opponents have taken a sectional approach - only families on low incomes get a cut - everyone else misses out, but everyone else will pay.

National recognises the importance of one law for all being at the heart of our democracy. We will settle all Treaty claims by 2010, and stamp out separatist programmes where money is allocated on the basis of race.

National will give schools more freedom with bulk funding. Schools in North Shore chose bulk funding it in 1998/99. They will embrace it again. This Saturday, you have two votes that will decide the formation of the next Parliament.

Your Party Vote decides the number of seats which each of the parties listed below will have in Parliament.

Your Electorate Vote decides the candidate who will be the elected member of Parliament for North Shore

Under MMP, the critical point to remember when deciding how to vote:

* It is your Party Vote that solely determines the number of MPs each party has in the new Parliament.

The candidate vote is important in North Shore. It is your opportunity to assess how good a job I have done as the MP for North Shore.

IT IS YOUR CHOICE TOMORROW.

ENDS

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