Annabel Young National Revenue Spokesperson

16 April 2001

How many pots of honey does it take to paint a roof?

It's time the Green Party came clean over the extent of the 'Green Market' activities they actively promote, National's Revenue spokesperson Annabel Young said today.

Back in January 1999, in an Evening Post article, Ms Fitzsimons said 'We've had some fencing done recently for green dollars and we're having our roof painted soon.'

"Fitzsimons was owning up to major work projects. Fencing and painting roofs are expensive, professional activities. This is more than merely swapping vegetables with your neighbour. If Fitzsimons paid in goods or money, there are tax consequences for her and for her supplier. Even if it was a labour-only contract, she still had an obligation to deduct withholding taxes. "The Greens Co-leader Rod Donald can't belittle the tax evasion opportunities arising from the Green Market because it's part of the $9 billion Black Market. They continue to promote Green Markets and Green Dollars which have far more tax consequences than mere 'neighbourlyness.'

"The Commissioner of Inland Revenue should be giving the Greens a clear steer on the legal consequences of aiding and abetting tax evasion," she said.

Annabel Young was responding to Rod Donald's defence last night that the Green Market was not a potential tax dodge. He claimed it was merely swapping 'home grown vegetables over the back fence.'

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