The Size of the Beast Keeps Growing

26 MAY 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Taxpayers’ Union is disappointed that despite today’s Budget showing healthy numbers the Government has failed to give any indication of when New Zealanders can expect tax relief. Taxpayers’ Union Chairman, John Bishop, says:

“Today’s budget is a Labour-style ‘more taxes, more spending’ budget. There isn’t even an indication when New Zealanders will be compensated for the $2.1 billion in extra taxes they’ve paid since 2010, thanks to income tax thresholds not raising with inflation.”

“Those earning more than $100,000 per year now pay 40% of all of the income tax. Those earning more than $70,000 (17% of the population) pay 60% the total.”

“Right now, the median income earner is paying $40 more per week in tax than they did when the current Government was elected.”

“While we welcome the extra money for health and infrastructure, taxpayers will be shocked that the Government is going to putting even more money into corporate welfare.”

“The strategy to get back into surplus is applauded: balanced budgets are simply a basic requirement of sound government. However, the one delivery ordinary kiwis were looking for — a boost in take home pay — is not there, and won’t come from the Government for some time yet, if ever. In that important respect Budget 2016 is a disappointment. It is politically defensive with nothing bold.”

“Today’s budget shows that there is in-fact ample fiscal room to reduce the burden of government but instead of adjustments which would just keep taxes as they are the Government is effectively saying that they can spend money better than the people who earned it.”

ENDS

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