John Key MP National Party Finance Spokesman

08 June 2005

Extravagant ad spending at $1000 a head

"Why are taxpayers having to pay the average of $1,000 per family to advertise last year's Budget when IRD already have their details?" asks National Party Finance spokesman John Key.

He is referring to the $15 million Working For Families advertising campaign, which Labour is hailing as a huge success.

"What Labour don't want people to know is that 182,280 of the 196,230 families eligible for its middle class welfare were automatically enrolled because they are already on benefits.

"This is yet another classic example of extravagant Labour waste. It must be seen for what it is, a propaganda campaign in election year.

"Why else would the government load the lion's share of its advertising into the year before most working families become eligible?

"Working For Families is being roundly rejected by working New Zealanders who resent being treated as beneficiaries.

"Steve Maharey has already admitted most self employed don't like the scheme because they are 'nervous' about ending up in debt to the taxman.

"And workers waiting until 2008 to get an insulting 67 cents extra a week from Michael Cullen's tax fiddle will be horrified to see Labour squandering money on an advertising campaign targeting people who are automatically enrolled.

"Labour is doing all it can to avoid discussing the insult it delivered to working New Zealanders in this year's Budget. Mainstream Kiwis want lower taxes and they know only National can be trusted to deliver on that," says Mr Key.

ENDS

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