New Zealand First Spokesman for Defence, Ron Mark MP, today
urged the government to provide the tax exemption for New
Zealand soldiers in East Timor which under the Income Tax
Act, is within the powers of the government.
“The Prime
Minister has recently acknowledged that across the board our
lower ranked Defence personnel need a pay increase. As a
start, why then, has she not already given the New Zealand
troops serving in the Operational Area of East Timor a tax
break?
“Section CB11.(3) of the Income Tax Act provides
for service personnel deployed in an operational area to be
paid tax free.
“The base salary of the lowest paid
serviceman in East Timor is $20,250, which is pathetic for
the risks they take.
“This government can deliver a tax
free wage now. To not do so belies the concerns they say
they have and New Zealanders will judge them as a bunch of
cheapskates who are more concerned about gathering revenue
than paying our troops fairly.
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