Bribe-O-Meter Update: Adding Up the Cost
Bribe-O-Meter Update: Adding Up the Cost of Potential Government Coalitions
18 SEPTEMBER 2017
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In the final
Bribe-O-Meter update before the election, the
Taxpayers’ Union has put together the combined
manifesto costings for a range of potential coalitions.
These figures will allow voters to gain a better
understanding of the fiscal implications of a potential
Government over the next three-year parliamentary
term.
Mac Mckenna, an economist at the Taxpayers’ Union, says, “This week we have put together all the likely coalition options so that voters have a better idea of what their vote might cost taxpayers. While the coalition totals account for crossovers in policy (so there is no double counting), the figures assume that each party spends what it has promised. It does not take into account possible changes arising from negotiations to form a government.”
“A National-ACT coalition has promised the lowest new spending, combining for a total of $5.9 billion, or $3,441 per household. National has promised $8.3 billion, and ACT a net-reduction in spending of $2.4 billion over three years.”
“ACT, National and the Maori Party have promised a combined $18.1 billion, or $10,501 per household. However, 67 percent of this total spending is from the Maori Party alone.”
“A Labour-Green coalition has promised $35.2 billion in new and unique spending, equivalent to $20,397 per household. There is considerable crossover in Labour-Green policies, which has been accounted for.”
“National and New Zealand First have promised a total of $35.8 billion, or $20,788 per household. 77 percent of this spending is from New Zealand First.”
“Labour and New Zealand First have promised $49.6 billion, or $28,744 per household. The Labour-New Zealand First total is made up of 46 percent of Labour Party spending, and 54 percent New Zealand First.”
“A Labour-Green-New Zealand First coalition has promised $61.7 billion, or $35,787 per household. This comprises 37 percent Labour Party spending, 20 percent Green Party spending and 43 percent New Zealand First.”
Key Findings (as
at 9am 18 September
2017)
• National has promised
$8.3 billion in new spending over the next
parliamentary term. This equates to $4,821 per
household.Transparency rating:
5/5
• Labour has
promised $23.0 billion in new spending over
the next parliamentary term. This equates to $13,353
per household. Transparency rating:
4/5
• The Green Party
has promised $14.9 billion in new spending
over the next parliamentary term. This equates to
$8,645 per household. Transparency rating:
4/5
• NZ First has
promised $27.5 billion in new spending over
the next parliamentary term. This equates to $15,967
per household. Transparency rating:
0/5
• ACT has
promised $2.4 billion in savings over the
next parliamentary term. This equates to $1,381 in
savings per household. Transparency rating:
3/5
• The Māori
Party has promised $12.2 billion
in new spending over the next parliamentary term. This
equates to $7,060 per household.
Transparency rating: 1/5
• The
Opportunities Party has promised $13.7
billion in new spending over the next parliamentary
term. This equates to $7,939 per household.
Transparency rating: 4/5
For a full
breakdown of individual policies refer to http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/bribe_o_meter.