28 January 2014

National’s tax cuts cost ten times more than Green’s child poverty measures

The Green Party’s child poverty reduction measures announced on Sunday will cost one-tenth the cost of National’s tax cuts for the top 10 percent of income earners, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.

The National Party slammed the $100 million-a-year investment the Green Party will make to ensure our most disadvantaged children receive a good education. The cost of the National Party’s 2010 signature tax cut package for the top 10 percent of income earners is approximately $1.1 billion a year – ten times the cost of ensuring a fair go for New Zealand’s most disadvantaged children.

“National are spending $1 billion a year on tax cuts for the top ten percent of income earners and yet they have the nerve to criticise our plan to spend one-tenth of that amount to invest in the futures of our most vulnerable children,” said Dr Norman.

“This year’s election will be all about values and priorities.

“Do we want to prioritise Government spending on tax cuts for the top ten percent of income earners? Or do we want to ensure that all our children get the start in life they deserve?

“The Green Party is putting the heart back in to politics making sure the economy works for everyone, not just the top ten percent.

“Our plan to invest $100 million a year into our school hubs programme will give our kids a decent shot at getting a good education and give them a decent feed.

“Hungry kids can’t learn.”

Philip Harding, President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation yesterday welcomed the Green Party’s school hubs plan. He said it would address the inequalities which affect learning for one in four children in New Zealand.

“This is a superb initiative and will make a huge difference for those kids that currently arrive at school unfed and unhealthy,” said Mr Harding.

“We know that the vast majority of those children are from low decile schools and we applaud this move to address the children’s health and welfare issues so that we can get on with the job of teaching them.”

The Parliamentary Library have calculated the cost of National’s tax cuts for the top decile is approximately $1.1 billion in the 2013/14 fiscal year.

Further information: Schools at the Heart: Policy document

ENDS

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