The Prime Minister has today confirmed that the Government will consider increasing the taxes on churches and charities.

Just two weeks ago the Prime Minister denied the Government was considering any changes. But questioned in Parliament as to why she made that denial, Helen Clark acknowledged that this proposal was not just 'a rumour', but was in fact a serious proposition which the Government is considering.

"Helen Clark and Steve Maharey, who have both up to now denied the Government had plans for taxing churches and charities, have now admitted they plan to do so," Opposition Leader Jenny Shipley said today.

"The Prime Minister today clearly indicated she supports changing the definition of charities.

"Charities must make submissions to the Government stating their concerns. They now have until the end of August to do so.

"National strongly opposes any proposal that will make the work of charities harder, not easier.

"We are shocked that the Government's proposals would increase the burden on charities. For example, if they introduce fringe benefit taxes the Spirit of New Zealand charity in Auckland would have to raise an additional $20,000 just to stay in the same position.

"The Government's proposal is wrong and it will impose unnecessary hardship on already stretched charitable organisations," Jenny Shipley said.

Ends

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>