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

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

CTU endorses Labour tax and jobs proposals

CTU endorses Labour tax and jobs proposals

The Council of Trade unions has welcomed the Labour Party’s proposals to focus on job creation and overhaul the tax system.

CTU President Helen Kelly said: “The Labour Party’s proposals echo several elements of the Alternative Economic Strategy which we published in October 20101. In particular we called for a tax free band, and tax rates of 38 percent on income above $100,000 and 45 percent on income above $150,000, or three times the average wage.”

“The Government’s tax changes in the last budget gave by far the most to those who needed it least, and the tiny benefits to the lowest paid have disappeared in the GST hike and the rising cost of living. A tax free band and increased taxation on the highest incomes is fairer and will begin to reduce the extremes of inequality that have grown in New Zealand over recent years.”

“We have also been calling on the Government to do more to create and protect jobs from the moment unemployment began to soar as a result of the global financial crisis. Despite an initial willingness to discuss initiatives the Government has not done nearly support employment. We welcome the Labour Party’s commitment to invest in skills training, smarter working and higher value industry, especially the double wins which can be had from green technologies.”

“The current Government has abandoned the unemployed and the low paid. New Zealand needs policies which will lift employment over the long term, redress inequalities and build a sustainable future for everyone.”

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

 
 
 
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.