Kiwi Party Response to the Budget

Press Release 19 May 2011: Kiwi Party finance spokesman and former MP Gordon Copeland has responded to today’s Budget.

“There are some positive aspects and we are pleased that the National led Government has mapped out a path to return to a fiscal surplus by 2014/15”, said Mr Copeland.

“However the Government has failed to act in a number of areas of vital importance to kiwi families.

“The Kiwi Party would like to see the minimum wage increased to $15 with an offsetting tax credit to employers and the decoupling of the domestic price of milk, cheese and meat from the international price, because these actions are now necessary to ensure that all families, not just the well off, can afford life’s necessities.

“We are very disappointed that the Budget made no mention of income sharing tax credits for couples with children and can only hope National will continue to support its introduction through the Bill currently before Parliament. We believe income sharing for tax purposes is a matter of fundamental justice and that it should be introduced immediately for couples with children under 5 and eventually for all couples with dependent children.

“We are also disappointed that another year has passed without the National led Government doing anything to address the housing affordability issue. From being, in the early 1970's, the nation with the highest rate of home ownership in the world, that kiwi dream is now out of reach for the majority of New Zealand’s young families who will be stuck in rented accommodation, in many cases for the rest of their lives.

“We advocate the removal of regulatory constraints on the supply of land, wider community cost sharing for new suburban streets and services and the refund of 50% per couple of the GST paid in buying a section and building a new house. These actions will restore home affordability, stimulate economic activity and create new jobs whilst boosting tax revenue.

“The Kiwi Party supports the Government's plan to move to a mixed ownership model for its commercial SOEs, but we believe that sales should be to New Zealand individuals and organisations only, so that these companies remain 100% kiwi owned and operated,” concluded Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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