Media releases: Republican Movement: Governor-General Should Pay Tax

MEDIA RELEASE: 5 September 2008

"They say there are only two things that are inevitable in life - death and taxes. The Governor-General might not be immortal, but he can beat taxes" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Under New Zealand's Civil List Act 1979, the Governor-General does not pay tax on his or her income while in office. This is because the Governor-General is the representative of the Queen, who herself is not required to pay income tax due to ancient exceptions. The Queen has voluntarily paid income tax since 1992.

"It made sense in 17th century Britain to make the Sovereign tax exempt. All that would have done would be to move tax revenue 'from one pocket to the other'. But it doesn't make sense in 21st century New Zealand to let the Governor-General off when the rest of us have to pay" said Mr Holden.

The Republican Movement has submitted to the Law Commission's review of the Civil List Act that the Governor-General's tax exemption should be repealed. The lobby group has also submitted that the legal framework of the office be cleared up, with the Governor-General's term defined in law.

"The Governor-General's tax exemption is another example of the archaic nature of the monarchy in New Zealand. Like the monarchy itself, it is pointless and serves no purpose" concluded Mr Holden.

NOTES

The Republican Movement's submission to the Law Commission is online at:

* www.republic.org.nz/policypapers

ENDS

© Scoop Media