17 March 2004

Robson wants more National U-turns

Progressive MP Matt Robson says he hopes there will be more dramatic U-turns from National in coming months.

"What we have heard from Don Brash today is more progressive than what we heard from him on National Radio on April 23 2002 when he said there are a lot of merits in a flat tax rate," Matt Robson said.

Dr Brash now says the top priority of a future National government would be tax relief for low-to-middle income families.

"Lowering the tax of low and middle income families, while leaving the top tax rate on the highest earners unchanged, means making the taxation system more progressive," Matt Robson said.

The Progressive MP was less impressed by Dr Brash committing a future National government to reducing the company tax rate to match Australia's headline rate.

"Dr Brash still seems to be afflicted by the idea that there is a quick fix to reverse the sad truth of New Zealand's poor record of business investment.

"We've had a poor record on business investment for at least two decades, especially compared with Australia. The manufacturing sector has not increased its capital stock over 1993 levels and ICT investment is also weak by OECD standards, a concern because there is a link between ICT investment and future national economic development and job creation," Matt Robson said.

"When our government was elected in late 1999, we decided early that we needed a bigger effort to go into the challenge of actively bolstering investment in New Zealand. We approached it from many angles, including the vital work played by NZ Trade and Enterprise, FoRST and Investment New Zealand.

"The Progressive Party encourages productive investment in New Zealand in order to facilitate high-quality job opportunities and a better future for young people.

"Don Brash's next challenge is to do another U-turn and embrace the vital work these government agencies are playing under this coalition government. National also needs to embrace the work this coalition government has put into establishing and maintaining an industry training strategy that workers and businesses say is a resounding success," he said.

ENDS

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