Hon Trevor Mallard
Minister of Education

22 August 2005 Media Statement

National Party tax calculator misleads voters

The National Party is misleading voters about the benefits of its tax cuts by failing to account for the 20 hours free early childhood education that Labour will provide each week from 2007, Education Minister Trevor Mallard warned today.

"National's tax cuts are pathetic and miserly for two thirds of taxpayers who will get less than around $10 a week. But National's tax calculator has also completely ignored the fact that under Labour, families will be able to access free early childhood education for their three and four years olds from July 2007 - and save around $90 a week or $4680 a year.

"This is quite a significant saving for families under Labour - so I am not surprised that National has conveniently forgotten to factor this in to their calculator," Trevor Mallard said.

Under Labour, three and four year olds will be able to access 20 hours free education each week at all licensed and teacher-led early childhood education services from July 2007.

ENDS

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