THE FAMILY PARTY
www.familyparty.org.nz

PRESS STATEMENT FOR RELEASE

GST off basics goes further

23 May 08. The Family Party has acknowledged the effort made by Labour to alleviate the financial burden on families but says it comes too late and doesn’t go far enough.

Richard Lewis says the Family Party’s proposal to axe GST on some basic household necessities would make a real difference where it is most needed.

“We all agree that tax cuts are not only necessary and fair but they are also long overdue. In essence, they are only bringing people back towards the surface but they are still effectively under water. Axing GST on some basic household necessities would get families back above water and in a position to hold on until more meaningful tax cuts come,” says party Leader Richard Lewis.

He says the fairest and most meaningful approach Government could take towards families, and particularly children and our elderly, is to axe GST on some basic living necessities.

To that end, the Family Party proposes axing GST on:
* Basic (primary staple) food groups,
* Infant and elderly necessities
* Household energy
* Rates
* And off the excise duty on fuel

"Giving $16 a week back to the average wage-earner is barely going to cover the recent rises in necessities such as milk, fruit and vegetables and petrol. Axing GST on basics at the supermarket and the petrol pump will bring the relief that New Zealand families need and deserve," he added.

ENDS

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