MEDIA RELEASE

Taxing Struggling Families to Boost Bureaucrats Shameful

30 JULY 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Responding to Labour leader David Cunliffe’s announcement that a Labour Government would ensure public servants would receive at least the Living Wage, significantly more than their private sector counterparts, Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says:

“Taxing struggling families more so that David Cunliffe can increase the pay packets of the Labour Party donors in the bureaucracy is outrageous. It won't lift production and wages, but transfer of wealth to Wellington bureaucrats.”

“Pledging to tax low income families more to pay above market wages to bureaucrats and the unionists funding the Labour Party, is shameful pork-barrel politics."

“Treasury advice on Living Wage policies show that they are not well targeted towards low-income earners and are likely to have negative impacts on employment. Given that the Living Wage idea has been quietly shelved at Wellington City Council, it’s surprising that David Cunliffe's advisors would let this get through.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is an independent activist group, dedicated to being the voice for Kiwi taxpayers in the corridors of power. It’s here to fight government waste and make sure New Zealanders get value for money from their tax dollar.

The Taxpayers’ Union operates a 24 hour media line for comment on taxpayer issues. Representatives are available on (04) 282 0302.

High resolution images and logos are available on request or online athttp://www.taxpayers.org.nz/pages/resources

© Scoop Media