Labour must give something back to over-taxed Kiwis

"It's now clear New Zealand taxpayers are the victims of a tax-mad Government that's prepared to reward its sympathisers while crucifying its enemies," says National Party Leader Don Brash.

He's responding to Treasury figures that show in the four months to the end of October, the Government accrued a $1.75 billion operating surplus, which is more than a billion dollars ahead of forecast.

"The Treasury's identified 'a continued higher-than-expected tax take' as the main reason for the swelling in the Government coffers," Dr Brash says.

"In the spirit of Christmas, the Labour Government should now be looking seriously at rewarding ALL the hard working New Zealanders contributing to the economy with a refund.

"Labour has already signalled its vote-buying election ploy by promising to reduce tax on low income earners, but National believes middle and high income earners deserve their share of the spoils also," says Dr Brash.

"National says New Zealand should be matching the Australian company tax rate and reducing the top personal tax rate to stimulate employment and economic growth.

"As Australia edges toward a free trade deal with the US, it's now important that the Government recognises the danger posed to our economy from new and attractive opportunities across the Tasman," says Dr Brash.

"In 1999, Labour said 'no rise in income tax for the 95 % of taxpayers earning under $60,000 a year.'

"Now 300,000 tax payers, or nearly 20% of full-time workers, pay the top marginal rate of 39% and by the end of this year, Labour's 15 new taxes will have brought in more than $3.6 billion - that's the equivalent of nearly $2,000 for every employed person in NZ.

"National says those who have contributed to the surplus should be the ones making the decisions on how their money is spent - not the Government," says Dr Brash.

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