2025 Taskforce’s second report on closing the income gap with Australia

Former National Party leader Don Brash is due to release his productivity taskforce’s second report on closing the income gap with Australia tomorrow.

Dr Brash, who also used to run the Reserve Bank was appointed by the Government last year for an initial term of three years.
The taskforce is intended to provide independent advice on policy measures to close the gap between New Zealand and Australian incomes, and reports annually on progress towards closing that gap.

The initial report was widely dismissed by senior ministers including Prime Minister John Key as it promoted slashing state spending, axing many existing programmes, what amounted to a virtual flat tax rate and wholesale privatisation of state owned companies.

Mr Key said many of the proposals ran contrary to political promises made during the election campaign and would not be given any consideration.

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