Bill English MP
National Party Deputy Leader

April 2008

Union to tax members for National attack ads

“Every member of the Labour-affiliated EPMU will be taxed to fund anti-National attack ads in election year,” says National Party Deputy Leader Bill English.

“At a time when households are feeling the pinch from the second highest interest rates in the developed world, and a rising cost of living, the EPMU will be using members’ cash to attack National for offering tax cuts and an end to government waste.”

Mr English is referring to comments by EPMU boss Andrew Little today, who says his Labour-affiliated Union will spend more than $70,000 of members’ money on anti-National election campaigning.

“Mr Little only recently ruled out being a candidate for Labour, his Union is a close affiliate of the Labour Party and has voting rights on numerous Labour Committees.”

The EPMU is one of a handful of unions officially intertwined with Labour.

“There can be no other explanation for the EPMU campaigning for Labour whose policies have lead to so much damage to EPMU members who face record interest rates, dropping house values, eight years of over taxation and record crime figures.”

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