ACT New Zealand Launches Tax Campaign

ACT New Zealand is today launching its Tax Campaign for the 2003 Budget, Leader Richard Prebble said.

"ACT is launching its campaign to force the Labour Government to change its policy of over-taxing working people and businesses. The Party of Influence is today driving the economic agenda. That's because we recognise that New Zealand families desperately need tax relief - we need a tax cut for every worker.

"In its 1999 election pledge, Labour promised: "no rise in income tax for 95 percent of taxpayers". But today, through stealth taxes and increased rates, Labour is overseeing a massive campaign that redistributes working families' income to Helen Clark's favourite orchestra, Maori TV, America's Cup challenges and Closing the Gaps, and more benefits for the 400,000 working-aged New Zealanders on benefits.

"Labour's entire philosophy is: More tax, more spending, no change.

"Our Tax Campaign is based on almost 600,000 individual communications with New Zealanders. We are putting forward three choices:

· A $50 per week tax cut

· A McLeod-type tax cut

· Going on being over-taxed

"On top of the communications strategy, we are today putting up our tax billboards and initiating a speaking tour.

"Most importantly, we have set up an interactive tax website - http://www.act.org.nz/tax - where New Zealanders get to have their own say on what form of tax relief they want. Even before its official launch, the response to the website has been overwhelming. We can lower taxes without cutting a single dollar of Government spending. ACT has the policies and the vision to return New Zealand to the top half of the OECD - a tax cut is vital," Mr Prebble said.