Greens’ Policy Lesser of Two Evils

16 July 2014

The Taxpayers’ Union is cautiously optimistic about the Greens’ innovation policy released today. Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says:

“Although the Greens’ policy still leaves room for picking winners, on balance it is better than the existing corporate welfare scheme operated by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.

“The Greens’ policy would reduce the taxpayer grants in favour of R&D tax credits. As always, the devil could be in the detail, and we are concerned that it still represents politicians picking winners with taxpayer money. These tax credits are also vulnerable to businesses manipulating what they already do in order for it to qualify as new R&D.

“Taxpayers don’t win if the Greens just replace Mr Joyce’s web of opaque grants with a greener version. Though we welcome the Greens’ scepticism of this Government’s policy of picking winnings, reducing the tax burden on all businesses is a better way to generate economic growth."

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is a non-partisan activist group, dedicated to being the voice for Kiwi taxpayers in the corridors of power. It’s here to fight government waste and make sure New Zealanders get value for money from their tax dollar.

ENDS

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