Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

John Banks’ legacy alive and well

David Clark
Revenue Spokesperson

9 June 2014

John Banks’ legacy alive and well

The Government has used a Ministerial press release to announce it has snatched millions of dollars unlawfully from bodies corporate, Labour’s Revenue spokesperson David Clark says.

A statement issued by Revenue Minister Todd McClay says the Government is cancelling registration for those who have been GST registered as of last Friday. This means double-taxation for affected bodies corporate.

“The Government is acting illegally. By announcing the forfeit of tax credits, the Minister is purporting to levy tax without Parliamentary authority.

“Robert Muldoon used to announce policies one day and legislate for them the same night. His approach looks positively angelic by comparison.

“Todd McClay is saying he won’t bother Parliament any more when it comes to law changes. He says he will only introduce legislation validating his actions if re-elected. This is absurd.

“The move echoes disgraced MP John Banks’ loose approach to the laws that govern elected politics.

“Up until this point in history legislation change required Parliamentary approval. This arrogant Government believes it is above the law, announcing taxation by press release.

“Make no mistake - talk of ‘clarity’ and ‘fairness’ is simply spin. The Tax Commissioner is independent. Her job is to apply the law and the law is clear.

“Inland Revenue’s top lawyer Martin Smith published his ‘considered view’ confirming in May 2013 that GST registration is a requirement for bodies corporate.

“To deregister bodies corporate in this manner is a serious challenge to democracy.

“Todd McClay is out of his depth. The Beehive’s ninth floor needs to intervene to sort this mess out,” David Clark said.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.