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

 

Budget in Surplus But Little Else for Taxpayers

Budget in Surplus But Little Else for Taxpayers to Crow About

15 MAY 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Taxpayers’ Union is disappointed that Finance Minister Bill English has failed to commit to giving New Zealanders meaningful tax relief in Budget 2014.

“We give the budget a score of six and a half out of ten,” says Taxpayers’ UnionExecutive Director, Jordan Williams. “Points for getting the books back into black, but deductions for not addressing the long term fiscal issues facing New Zealand.”

“While there’s a little bit of fat trimming here and there, overall its more of the same tax and spend. To fix our long term problems of an excessive tax burden, Bill English needed to wield an axe to superfluous spending. He’s failed to do so.”

“Compare this Government’s approach to Australia. Despite Australia’s dire fiscal outlook, its Government is reforming things such as the retirement age to make the public sector sustainable.”

Over the next four years, the New Zealand Treasury forecast $7.6 billion in fiscal surpluses and this year, just $15.5 million is allocated to tax relief.

"That represents $4,935 per household of over taxation. Instead of committing to giving that money back, the only tax cut in this budget is to cheque duty. That’s a tax cut of one dollar a year per New Zealander.”

“Mr English thinks that he has the balance about right. We don’t. What’s needed is an early and clear commitment to a program of reducing tax and compliance costs.”

“Of $4,935, Kiwi taxpayers get back $1. And that’s only if you still use cheques."

“No wonder John Key has hinted at tax cuts during the election campaign. This is a tax cut that benefits only the one per cent who still use cheques. What’s next, removing excise tax on fountain pens?"

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.