Tax Justice Aotearoa New Zealand and supporters have been heartened by
positive responses to the launch of its first campaign in support of
overdue tax reform – including the call to introduce a capital gains
tax.

“Since announcing our call for a balanced debate on tax reform yesterday
outside Parliament, we have already seen more than 1000 voices added to
the petition asking for a capital gains tax” say Tax Justice Aotearoa NZ
spokespersons Paul Barber and Louise Delany.

“Our position is simply that the existing tax system is unfair and that
the Government needs to take direction from the options presented by the
Tax Working Group to fix it.

“Along with other supporting organisations, we believe that the ‘silent
majority’ of ordinary communities and workers have been at risk of being
drowned out by vested interests that are resisting tax reform.

”As responsible citizens in an open democracy we are committed to
drawing public attention to the fundamentally important role that a
wealth tax can play to ensure fairness in the tax system – as is the
common practice across other developed OECD countries including
Australia.

“The Tax Working Group - after much sifting of evidence and debate -
concluded that a tax on capital income was the right choice for modern
New Zealand - and this is supported by the substantial arguments that
have been put forward in favour of such a tax by experts like Tim
Hazledine of Auckland University and Alison Pavlovich of Massey
University [see further information links below].

“Fairness is the Kiwi way. Now is the time for a capital gains tax”.

The organisations who support the Tax Justice Aotearoa NZ tax reform
campaign – which proposes a range of tax measures in addition to a CGT,
such as changes to tax rates, lower GST and pollution taxes – currently
include the Public Health Association, New Zealand Council of Christian
Social Services, Council of Trade Unions, Public Service Association,
Hui E! Community Aotearoa, Equality Network, Closing the Gap and Poverty
Action Waikato.

© Scoop Media