Politicians missing the point in tax discussion, say Greens

The major political parties' media arguments today over tax issues missed the point over whether politicians were even taxing the right things, the Green Party says.

Green Party Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said in order to increase employment, taxes should be shifted off income and enterprise and on to waste and pollution.

A carbon tax on fossil fuels would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage the use of renewable forms of energy. A tax on toxic materials would reduce spray-drift, over-use of pesticides and encourage organic farming.

These taxes could then be used to remove tax off the bottom level of income - the first $5000 - which would help the low-paid and encourage more employment, Ms Fitzsimons said.

"The incentives our tax system creates are just as important as the level of taxes, and the discussion should be about whether the current system targets the right areas of society."

ENDS

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