Pansy Wong MP
National Party Revenue Spokeswoman
05 June 2005

IRD distributing Labour propaganda?

"Labour's propaganda machine knows no bounds - now it's using Inland Revenue to spread its message," says National Party Revenue spokeswoman Pansy Wong.

She is referring to a mail drop to employers, which sets out to promote the changes announced in Labour's Budget.

"Most of the so-called 'significant initiatives' aren't due to start for a couple of years, so why the urgency?

"This is little more than a thinly disguised Labour Party propaganda exercise. It's clearly part of the 'machine' that John Tamihere was referring to.

"Already Labour is spending more than $15 million to advertise its Working For Families package, and now even more taxpayer money is being devoted to Labour's marketing push.

"Interestingly, Inland Revenue's 'information sheet' makes only a one paragraph mention of the insulting tax changes flagged by Michael Cullen in the Budget, but it devotes considerable space to advertising Labour's flawed KiwiSaver programme.

"There's no objective analysis of the programmes, just a recital of Labour's spin.

"How much is this 'information sheet' costing? How many people are receiving the fact sheet? Why is it so important to advertise changes that won't take effect for years?

"Only National can be trusted to lower the tax burden and provide better incentives for working New Zealanders," says Mrs Wong.

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