MEDIA RELEASE

Green co-leader’s comparison of benefit policy to America’s Cup is delusional

1 OCTOBER 2018

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson’s comparison of the cost of her Party’s policy to increase benefits and remove sanctions to that of hosting the America’s cup is completely delusional, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “It appears the only figure Ms Davidson has to justify her party’s policy is that we’re already spending $100 million on hosting the America’s Cup. Firstly, two wrongs don’t make a right. But more importantly, Ms Davidson’s suggestion that her party’s policy will cost $100 million or less is delusional.”

“Marama Davidson did not even know how much we currently spend on the sole parent support her party plans to boost. It’s in excess of $1.2 billion – more than the last family income package, which was $900 million."

"Even increasing $1.2 billion by 20 percent would massively underestimate the cost of the Greens' policy. The Greens’ policy will be so costly not because they are raising benefits, but because, by removing sanctions, they make it easier for less needy and less deserving New Zealanders to collect dole cheques on a long-term basis.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is in the final stages of producing a report which responds to proposals to remove benefit sanctions, and provides a costing of the Greens’ benefit policy.

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