Tax think tank wants to make life harder for struggling Kiwi families

Alliance Party media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Saturday 9 May 2009

Alliance Party co-leader Kay Murray has congratulated Gareth Morgan, a member of the government’s “high powered tax think tank”, on raising the issue of a capital gains tax (Dominion Post, Saturday 9 May 2009).

Ms Murray says the Alliance has long called for a capital gains tax, not only to widen the tax base as Dr Morgan suggests, but to reduce speculation in housing and thus keep house prices affordable to all.

But she says, with no disrespect to Dr Morgan, the make up of the think tank is embarrassing in its lack of diversity, being comprised entirely of upper income finance sector people and executives.

“Where are the representatives who can provide a viewpoint from the workers, the superannuitants and beneficiaries, all of whom are taxpayers?

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