Media Release

28 September 1999

ALLIANCE TAX POLICY HIGHLIGHTS FARCICAL NON HOSTILITY AGREEMENT WITH LABOUR

The Rt Hon Winston Peters MP, Leader of New Zealand First, today said that the release of the Alliance’s tax policy was significant only for the way in which it highlighted the farcical Alliance/Labour non hostility agreement in action.

“This agreement, referred to by Pete Hodgson in last night’s Crossfire Programme, is just a means of Labour and the Alliance hiding their considerable differences behind closed doors and public smiles. The public have made it clear that under MMP they want increased transparency and differences between the parties made public. In refusing to do this, both Labour and the Alliance are highlighting how out of touch they are with the public on this issue.

“Instead of preaching about the lack of public understanding of MMP the politicians should concentrate more on delivering the standard of representation New Zealanders are rightfully demanding. Instead, the old parties – and the minority parties propping them up - are attempting to manipulate MMP into looking more like the old First Past the Post System and blaming the public when they don’t go along with it.

“Take the Labour Party. Mr Hodgson’s comments last night made it quite clear that Labour are using the Alliance to prop up their vote, and hoping against hope that come Election Day they have the numbers to govern without the Alliance. Sadly, the Alliance have gone along with this strategy hook, line and sinker although it decreases – instead of increases – the chances of any future Labour Government being held accountable to the people,” said Mr Peters.

Mr Peters said that the Alliance Tax Policy would not work – not only would we have bright flight we would have wealth flight.

ENDS

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