Cullen must intervene on $20m. border security tax

Friday, 20 February 2004, 3:02 pm
Press Release: Employers and Manufacturers Association Northern

Please intervene on $20m. border security tax, Dr Cullen

Business is calling on Finance Minister Dr Cullen to intervene positively by cutting short the wrangle over whether exporters should pay the $20 million border tax security bill.

"We want Government to cancel the lengthy and costly lobbying round it is putting exporters through in trying to roll back the $20 million border security tax," said Alasdair Thompson, chief executive of the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern).

"If Dr Cullen has no options to help lower the New Zealand dollar he could at least show Government won't add any more costs onto exporters.

"By doing this the Government would demonstrate it is genuine about trying to be business friendly even though the tax is for the public good.

"Dr Cullen should also spell out where he stands on lowering company tax rates given New Zealand's is the highest in the OECD and the Asia Pacific region. The PM and Small Business Minister John Tamihere appear to think this is fine.

"Not only is the high New Zealand dollar savaging our export returns, the high New Zealand company tax rate is becoming a major blockage to investment in new jobs and wealth creation."

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