Call for GST on rates to be scrapped

MAYORAL HOPEFUL: Vanessa Neeson doesn’t think Aucklanders should pay GST on rates.

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Supercity mayoral candidate Vanessa Neeson is calling on the government to scrap GST on rates.

The Waitakere city councillor says it is one of the most important issues facing Aucklanders.

"With the pressures on our growing city there is no place for GST on rates, which is nothing more than a tax on a tax," she says.

Mrs Neeson says with the tax set to rise from 12.5 to 15 percent from October 1 now's the time for action.

She says it will be felt by a lot of people who are still reeling from the recession.

"The rise in GST to 15 percent will affect struggling families and really hit them in the pocket," Mrs Neeson says.

She says with the supercity opening for business in November, the government can't ignore the city's concerns any longer.

"We are now of a size where the government will have to pay attention."

But Local Government Minister Rodney Hide refused to respond to Mrs Neeson's statement.

He says he can't comment on the policy promises of individual candidates during local body elections.

Mr Hide referred the Western Leader's questions to Finance Minister Bill English.

A spokesman for the minister says the government has no plans to remove GST from Aucklanders' rates.

- © Fairfax NZ News