Opposition Parties Promise $60.6b – Government Parties $3.4b

15 AUGUST 2017 - Opposition parties - consisting of Labour, New Zealand First, the Greens and The Opportunities Party - have promised $60.6 billion in new spending according to the Taxpayers’ Union election policy costing Bribe-O-Meter. In comparason the sum for promises by National, ACT, United Future and the Maori Party (i.e. the Government) is just $3.4 billion.

Mac Mckenna, an economist at the Taxpayers’ Union, said, “Opposition parties appear to be spending up to the rafters with sets of policies many times more expensive than the last election. New Zealand First is pushing the boundaries of fiscal free-spiritedness, so far promising $22.9 billion in new spending over the next electoral term. Labour is close behind with $18.9 billion, followed by TOP at $10.7 billion and the Green Party with $8.1 billion.”

“The incumbent governing parties have been much more controlled. Somewhat surprisingly, given the size of the party, United Future has promised the most with $4.7 billion in new spending. The National Party are still keeping the powder dry, promising just $2.5 billion of new spending over the next Parliamentary term.”

“The Maori Party are still yet to release their manifesto, so the costings to date only include IwiRail - estimated at $1.6 billion. ACT is the only party who have promised a net cut in government spending. Its manifesto would see a reduction in spending of $5.4 billion over the next three years.”

Key Findings (as of 5pm Monday):

• National has promised $2.5 billion in new spending over the next parliamentary term. This equates to $1,453 per household.

• Labour has promised $18.9 billion in new spending over the next parliamentary term. This equates to $10,952 per household.

• The Greens has promised $8.1 billion in new spending over the next parliamentary term. This equates to $4,692 per household.

• New Zealand First has promised $22.9 billion in new spending over the next parliamentary term. This equates to $13,291 per household.

• ACT has promised $5.4 billion in taxpayer savings over the next parliamentary term. This equates to $3,103 in savings per household.

• United Future has promised $4.7 billion in new spending over the next parliamentary term. This equates to $2,737 per household.

• The Maori Party has promised $1.6 billion in new spending over the next parliamentary term. This equates to $899 per household. Although this only includes one policy (the Maori party manifesto is yet to be released).

• The Opportunities Party has promised $10.7 billion in new spending over the next parliamentary term. This equates to $6,199 per household.

For a full breakdown of individual policies refer to http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/bribe_o_meter.

For each party's main policy announcements see:

• Labour Party at: http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/bribe_o_meter_labour

• Green Party at: http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/bribe_o_meter_green

• National Party at: http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/bribe_o_meter_national

• New Zealand First at: http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/bribe_o_meter_nz_first

• ACT party at: http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/bribe_o_meter_act

• United Future at: http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/bribe_o_meter_united_future

• Maori Party at: http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/bribe_o_meter_maori_party

• The Opportunities Party at: http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/bribe_o_meter_top

ENDS

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