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Give NZers a tax cut, not a hand-out

Wednesday 15 Dec 2004

Dr Muriel Newman - Press Releases - Social Welfare

Social welfare spending is set to rise 28 percent over the next five years, ACT Deputy Leader and Social Welfare spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said today.

Yesterday's Budget Policy Statement and December Economic and Fiscal Update shows welfare spending is forecast to skyrocket by $2.1 billion - from $7.3 billion in 2003/04 to $9.4 billion in 2008/09.

"While Social Development Minister Steve Maharey skites over lower unemployment figures, he continues to oversee massive growth in welfare dependency.

"New Zealanders should be concerned that this Labour Government appears to be determined to entrench welfare dependency in our society.

"ACT believes the best way to help working families is not by giving them welfare handouts, but rather let them keep more of what they earn through lower taxes.

"With the Government sitting on a huge surplus, the time is right to give every hardworking Kiwi a tax cut - and now," Dr Newman said.

ENDS

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