11 November 2004
Hon Jim Anderton MP, Progressive Leader

Anderton responds to critics of tax cuts call

Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton has returned to the theme of cutting business tax to 30%.

He’s challenging his critics ‘If there is ever a time when a company tax cut might be possible – why isn’t this the time?'

The Progressive leader told the sales and marketing executives institute yesterday he’s not sure why anyone thinks the 33 per cent tax rate is somehow sacred.

“For me, tax rates have always been an issue of what is the best way to raise the cash that is needed to fund essential services.

“Some have said families are a higher priority. I happen to agree. That’s why the government is investing very heavily in low and middle in come families with the Working For Families package.

“But it is possible to be pro-business as well as have a social conscience. I have never taken the view that the company tax could never be adjusted downwards. The centre-left should never get in that position - it would be believing the derision of our opponents, rather than making decisions because they’re the right decisions.

“If there is ever a time when it might be possible to cut company tax – why isn’t this the time?” Jim Anderton 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>>