24th October Media Statement

National willing to abandon Working for Families

Social Development Minister Ruth Dyson today challenged National's leader John Key to tell the truth about his party's plans for Working for Families.

Ms Dyson said that National MP Richard Worth had let the cat out of the bag in a debate on TV7 last night, when he said "There’s going to come a time, if this tax cut regime which National plans is implemented in the way that we propose, that it may be appropriate for it [Working for Families] to be looked at".

Are we finally getting the real story about National's true intentions? It's difficult to know where John Key stands with his flip flopping and willingness to tell a different story depending on which audience he is talking to.

"We know that John Key doesn't like Working for Families. He has been opposed to it from the start calling it communism by stealth. However, in order to win votes he has been hiding his true intentions.

"Now over 370,000 families must now be wondering just how secure their pay packets are and whether John Key can be trusted when National tax policies pay no attention to those who really need assistance.

"Under National, the CEO of Telecom would receive around $500 extra a week while a parent on $45k will receive only $1.92 Now, Richard Worth has indicated that Nationals true intention is to take even more from low income families.

"In a time of international financial uncertainty, the admission that Nationals real policy of slashing Working for Families tax credits must be a real concern as families look for financial security.

"It looks like the lid on the hermetically sealed campaign has been punctured for the third time this week by another National MP telling the truth. We now know about Selling Kiwi Bank, privatising ACC, demolishing Kiwi Saver, and charging road tolls of $50 per week. What's next?" said Ruth Dyson.

ENDS

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