Forget the Frozen Chicken - 2017 Tax Cuts Won't Buy Chicken Thighs

The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the National Party’s announcement that New Zealanders must wait until at least 2017 for income tax relief, if the Party leads the next government. The Union’s Executive Director, Jordan Williams, says:

“National claim to want to offer tax cuts, but of the $1.5 billion per year of fiscal headroom, two thirds are being allocated for new spending. Instead of reprioritising existing spending and cutting waste, Bill English still thinks that he’s a better steward of the public’s money than those who earned it."

“Already the tax cuts are being lumped in with debt repayment. It opens up the Government to attacks that it is ‘borrowing for tax cuts’. In reality National is choosing to spend more rather than reduce the tax burden.”

“Of the $1.5 billion flagged fiscal head room, the Government wants to spend two thirds and use the remainder to pay back debt and offer tax relief. It should be the other way around."

“A billion dollars of tax cuts is only $11 per week for the average household. Forget the frozen chicken, it's not even enough for chicken thighs - and you'll have to wait until 2017.”

“At best it’s underwhelming.”

ENDS

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