When the combined tax on fuel hits over 50 percent
in some parts of the country, it is hypocritical for the
Government to blame corporates, says the New Zealand
Taxpayers' Union.
Taxpayers' Union
spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says "It's good that the Commerce
Commission is investigating uncompetitive pricing in the
fuel market, but they shouldn't just be shining the light on
big corporates. With fuel excise, GST, the ETS, and the
Auckland regional fuel tax, the Government is just as
responsible as retailers when it comes to sucking motorists
dry."
"In Auckland, more than half the cost of fuel is
attributable to tax. In the rest of the country, tax is just under half, depending on
where you fill up. If the Government is worried about
escalating consumer prices, it should take a look in the
mirror."
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