Recall The Pledge Card - New Taxes Render It Faulty

"The Government must issue a recall notice on the pledge card. News of yet another new tax in the wind has rendered it faulty," Opposition Finance spokesperson Bill English.

"The pledge card promised no new taxes. But new taxes are piling up all over the place.

"We've had two this week - both courtesy of the Health Minister. Annette King has helped blow the pledge card promise.

"She's now floating the idea of a tax to fund health services. Annette King has told a public meeting that many people have told her they would not mind paying more tax for health services.

"She says if New Zealanders want more health services, more money had to be provided and has raised the prospect of a dedicated tax.

"It's the fifth new tax signalled since the Government hiked up personal income tax.

"We've had this week's $110million tax increase on cigarettes. We've had the new Fringe Benefit Taxes, the five per-cent superannuation withdrawal tax and the idea of a tax on TV advertising to replace taxpayer funding of TV and radio programmes.

"There are five new taxes and we're only six months into the life of this Labour-Alliance Government."

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