Annabel Young National Revenue Spokesperson

28 November 2001

Arts and culture misses out in Charities Working Party

There is no one on Dr Cullen's Working party on Tax and Charities who will argue the case for arts and culture, says Annabel Young, National's Tax spokesperson.

"One of the roles of the Working Party is to review the definition of 'charity' and 'charitable purposes', especially when it comes to tax matters. They are going to be making very important decisions about who can claim to be a charity.

"The Working Party does not have any representation for the arts or culture sectors. Many charities exist to promote the arts. They are an important part of the fabric of New Zealand.

"But the membership Working Party, announced today, is focused on social, religious and economic charities. Who will be the voice for the liberal arts?

"The working party has a blind spot when it comes to artistic endeavour. Artists and benefactors of the arts have been left out," Annabel Young said.

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