Interest-free loans are the obvious solution

“Ongoing exchanges between local body politicians and ratepayers over proposed rates hikes are a sideshow and need to stop” said Stephnie de Ruyter, Leader of Democrats for social credit.

“The real argument should be with central government. Its apparent reluctance to take the most obvious, simple steps to immediately reduce rates is the obstacle which both local body politicians and ratepayers must tackle.

“Central government has yet to convince ratepayers that the continued imposition of GST on rates is fair. Taxing a tax is clearly anything but fair and ratepayers rightly resent this practice.

“Instead of ignoring ratepayers’ concerns, it’s time the government gave up defending the indefensible and declared rates to be GST free” Ms de Ruyter said.

“GST-free rates would leave more money in the pockets of Kiwi ratepayers. What a change that would make: rates reductions instead of increases!

“GST-free rates and the provision of cheap money from the Reserve Bank for infrastructure development and maintenance would enable local councils to meet their ratepayers’ expectations, without massive rates rises. And Kiwi homeowners would actually be getting a fair deal and best value for their rates dollars” continued Ms de Ruyter.

“Councillors and ratepayers need to work together to lobby central government to apply new methods to control rates rises: taking GST off rates and funding infrastructure with interest free loans would be very smart first moves.”

ENDS

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