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Labour Offer Len Brown a Hotel Tax

Labour Offer Len Brown a Hotel Tax


The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the Labour Party's plan to allow councils to levy new 'pillow taxes' and regional petrol taxes. Reacting to this afternoon’sNZ Herald report Jordan Williams, Executive Director of the Taxpayers’ Union, says:

“It appears that Labour have given into Len Brown’s desire to introduce new taxes in Auckland. Instead of forcing local government to trim the fat, Labour appear to be consenting to Auckland Council's lavish habits and business class travel.”

“Two years ago Labour’s transport spokesperson called Gerry Brownlee’s increased petrol taxes ‘outrageous’. At the time Phil Tyford said that increased transport costs would hit Kiwi families and businesses tying to stay afloat. Now Labour are trying to use local government as a Trojan horse to tax New Zealanders even more.”

Taxes on petrol went up 3 cents per litre on 1 July, meaning that for every dollar spent on petrol only 57 cents goes into the car.

“Like Labour under David Shearer, we say petrol taxes are already too high. Allowing Mr Brown to raise petrol taxes, while complaining about Mr Brownlee, is bizarre."

“Everyday the Taxpayers’ Union is finding new examples of waste and extravagance in local government. The focus should be on reigning-in the sector, not allowing councils to invent new ways to tax New Zealanders."

ENDS

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