NZ taxes rise faster than others in the OECD

"The OECD's latest Taxing Wages Publication shows the tax rate faced by the average single New Zealand worker has now increased at the fastest rate of any developed OECD country for two years running," says National Party Deputy Finance spokesman John Key.

The same report shows average tax rates were unchanged or falling for most countries.

"Michael Cullen should stop gloating about New Zealand's relatively low national average tax rate by international standards. That was the achievement of a previous National Government.

"The reality is that after sharp falls in tax rates during the 1990s under the National Government, average tax rates for those on salaries and wages have increased significantly under the present Government.

"As a result, New Zealand's average tax rate ranking against other countries has deteriorated.

"Information provided by Michael Cullen's office shows Labour's new taxes have collected $2,600 on average from every household - most struggling families could make good use of that.

"National is absolutely committed to reducing tax. "Our top priorities are tax relief for low-to-middle income families and a cut in corporate tax rates to boost business investment. Gradual reductions in the higher personal tax rates will follow as the fiscal situation permits," says Mr Key.

© Scoop Media

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>>