Corporate Welfare for RLWC Shows Government Priorities
Corporate Welfare for RLWC Shows Government Priorities
19 JULY 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
The Taxpayers’ Union says health, education and fixing New Zealand’s housing crisis would be a much better use of the $1.35 million of taxpayer money that the Government will use to subsidise the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, which New Zealand is ‘co-hosting’ with Australia. Jordan Williams, Executive Director of the Taxpayers’ Union says:
“This isn’t about helping grassroots sports, it’s about lining the pockets of professional sports players and teams with big corporate sponsors.”
“The economic argument, that these events bring in big dollars, is very questionable. We’re hosting the games unlikely to attract much attention anyway. Only a politician could argue that a single semi-final game is worth more than a million dollars of taxpayer money.”
“What makes this funding so concerning is the significant taxpayer support that the Government already pumps into NZ Rugby league. The Police, Health Promotion Agency, ACC, and even the Ministry of Education are all listed as sponsors on the NZ Rugby League website.”
“Taxpayers’ shouldn’t be forced to underwrite professional sport. It might allow MPs into corporate boxes but it certainly isn’t why we pay taxes.”
ENDS