26 August 2005

Mapp Report: Tax Relief For All New Zealanders

We have promised it, and we need your vote to deliver. The massive surplus of $7.5 billion dollars last year means it is time for New Zealanders to get their fair share.

The package has the following goals:

· Tax cuts will give working New Zealanders the chance and incentive to get ahead in life from their own efforts, by reducing the tax rate that most people face when they decide to work some more overtime, take on more responsibility, or take on a second job.

· To give middle-income New Zealand families relief from the tax burden they face, instead of forever being the source of income support for others.

· To make the New Zealand business tax rate competitive with Australia, by reducing the company tax rate to enable business to invest and grow in New Zealand.

A welfare handout is Labour's measly answer to New Zealander's anguish about missing out on the Budget. The massive extension of income support to families announced last week is yet another example of Labour's sectional politics. They will tax everyone to the hilt, and then give little bits back to the people they think will vote for them. It is simply patronising bribery.

Labour has been deceiving the public the whole way along about the money available for tax cuts. As I reported in last week's Mapp Report, the Minister of Finance knew they had money for tax cuts since July - and deliberately delayed the opening of the books that is required before elections, so they could desperately spin their way out of it.

Under a National government, by April 2007, we will have a very simple tax structure.

* For income up to $12,500, the tax rate will be 15%. (Low-income earners rebate).

* For income earners between $12,500 and $50,000, the tax rate will be 19%.

* The withholding tax rate for secondary employment will also be 19%.

* Income between $50,000 and $100,000 will be taxed at 33%.

* Income above $100,000 will continue to be taxed at 39%.

* The lower statutory rate of withholding tax applied to interest and other investment income will be reduced from 19.5% to 18%.

* The threshold for abatement of Working For Families (WFF) payments will be $30,000 from April 2006 and, to keep the effective tax rate on extra income low, the abatement rate will be 20%.

National will replace WFF with our own families' package. We believe the method of delivery should change, so people do not have to apply for welfare for their own money back.

Elections are about choices. This time, it's a choice of whether you keep your money or whether Labour continues its' rapacious looting of your wallet. It sends a pretty straightforward choice: Vote National.

LABOUR LIES: # 6

MYTH# 6 : Labour claims tax cuts means spending cuts to health and education. Truth: There is a 7.5 billion surplus. National's tax package is 3.9 billion , therefore it will be paid for out of the surplus. Health and Education spending will increase under National.

26th August 2005

31st August, 2005

Public Meeting on National's Arts Policy, with Georgina Te HeuHeu, spokesperson for the Arts.

Venue: The Art Space, Devonport.

Time: 7.00pm.

Followed by visits to Wicked Wanda's and The Patriot for Meet N Greeting!

2nd September, 2005

Wayne will be at the Paper Moon Cafe, 8am, having an informal breakfast. If you would like to pop along, this is a great chance to talk to him about National's policy for 2005, two weeks before Election Day.

Venue: Paper Moon Cafe, Hurstmere Road, Takapuna.

Time: From 8.00am.

4th September, 2005

Meet The Candidates Meeting. Come along and support Wayne!

Venue: Takapuna Methodist Church.

Time: 2.00pm.

4th September, 2005

Meet The Candidates Meeting.

Venue: Milford Baptist Church, Dodson Ave, Milford.

Time: 7.30pm.

5th September 2005

Meet The Candidates Meeting.

Venue: Marangi Bay Presbyterian Church, Penzance Avenue, Mairangi Bay.

Time: 7.30pm.

7th September 2005

Meet The Candidates Meeting.

Venue: Castor Bay Ratepayers Associaton, Church Hall, Katui Street, Castor Bay.

Time: 7.30pm.

ENDS

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