If Only The Pain Was Just At The Pump

The Taxpayers’ Union welcomes the Government’s delay to its planned petrol tax hike of 25 cents as the hike would have been a cruel imposition on Kiwis who are experiencing skyrocketing increases in the cost of living across the board.

“The Government will be hoping that this announcement will overshadow tomorrow’s inflation figures, but they know as well as we do that a 25 cent per litre discount is barely a drop in the bucket when taxpayers are paying more for less on every front,” Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says.

“While taxpayers will be relieved not to face the 25 cent hike, if the Government does not reduce its wasteful and inflationary spending, the pressure on household finances will only continue to mount.”

“Pulling the excise lever - and now extending it - is exactly what the Taxpayers’ Union called for, but this is not a silver bullet for the cost of living crisis. The Government needs to act rapidly to reduce its own contributions to escalating household costs in all areas.”

Earlier this year the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union petition to cut fuel tax received 16,000 signatures and our fuel tax refund event in Takapuna exposed high taxes highlighted the fact that 52% of the cost of the pump in Auckland was tax. The Union has also been selling “I did this” stickers which New Zealanders have used to highlight the Government’s previous hikes to petrol taxes.

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