Monday 21st Jun 1999
Rodney Hide
Media Release -- Economy

Tax Cuts First Job For New Treasurer

ACT Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide today said the first job for the country's new Treasurer must be setting out a programme of tax cuts.

"Bill English's appointment today clears the way for tax cuts before the election.

"With Bill English now in the top job, Mr Birch's opposition to tax cuts should no longer hold up the Government. In a letter to me last week Bill Birch, as Treasurer, stated that the Government would not support ACT's proposal to cut taxes before the election.

"However, Bill Birch's categorical refusal is at odds with Bill English who, as Finance Minister, has continued to be the lead performer in National's tax cut striptease.

"The Government missed the opportunity to set out the much needed programme of tax cuts in the May budget. The time for talk has now run out. The new Treasurer must take action.

"I will be writing to the new Treasurer to outline ACT's work on a programme of tax cuts that is needed to boost growth and provide jobs," said Rodney Hide.

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>>