THE FAMILY PARTY

www.thefamilyparty.org.nz

 PRESS STATEMENT FOR RELEASE

Poll affirms Family Party GST policy

18 June 08. A research company says four out of five New Zealanders think the Government should consider lowering taxes on food and petrol. The Government has again ruled out cutting GST on petrol saying it wouldn't make any difference, but Research New Zealand said a poll showed the public did not agree.

The poll of 500 people found 80 per cent of New Zealanders thought taxes should be cut on food, 81 per cent thought tax on petrol should be lowered and 67 per cent thought taxes should be cut on electricity and gas. When asked about their financial situation, 37 per cent of New Zealanders said it was "somewhat worse" and 13 per cent "a lot worse.

Richard Lewis says the poll comes as no surprise based on the feedback the Family Party had received on the ground over the last six months. In May, the party released policies to axe GST on basic food groups and petrol.

“Four weeks ago the Family Party clearly stated a policy to remove GST off basic food groups (fruit and vegetables), infant and elderly necessities, household energy (power bill), rates and the excise duty on fuel. This is the fairest and most effective approach Government could take towards New Zealand families in these difficult financial times,” said Mr Lewis.

“It’s just not good enough that Government won’t reprioritise its spending in order to provide much needed relief for New Zealand families. The same old rhetoric that they’d have to cut social services is garbage. It’s a matter of priorities – a Government that genuinely cared about the wellbeing of families would be motivated to make it happen. Where there’s a will – there’s a way,” he added. 

ENDS

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