Few heed Labour roadshow

Labour's "Axe the Tax" roadshow drew just a handful of supporters – mainly union representatives and party stalwarts – when it rolled through Nelson yesterday.

Labour finance spokesman David Cunliffe told the lunchtime gathering at the 1903 site in Trafalgar St that Nelson people were worried about the Government's plans to increase GST to 15 per cent.

"I don't like seeing fear in the eyes of ordinary New Zealanders."

He and fellow Labour MPs Maryan Street and Damien O'Connor accused the Government of increasing GST to fund tax cuts for the rich. Plans to drop the top income tax rate to 30 cents would see Telecom's chief executive pocketing an extra $2500 a week, Mr Cunliffe said.

People were asked to sign a "petition" voicing their opposition to the GST increase. A Labour Party spokesman later told the Nelson Mail that the petition was not official and would not be presented to Parliament.

Ms Street said Nelson's economy depended on low-wage income earners.

Asked what Labour could do to stop GST rise, Ms Street was careful not to promise that Labour would reverse the GST increase if it won the next election. Once in place, the changes were likely to be "difficult to unscramble", she said. "We will have to have a look to see what we can do about it."

A group of students sitting nearby on the church steps said they took no interest in the roadshow. Another bystander Lyn Feetham, of Nelson, was sufficiently moved to sign her support. "I was quite impressed with what they had to say." She said she voted for National at the last election and felt let down by the proposed tax changes.

Nelson MP Nick Smith said it "speaks volumes" that Labour was not promising to reverse any increase to GST. New Zealand's economy became too focused on over-consumption and residential property under the Labour Government's control, he said.

"Nelson, more than any other part of New Zealand, depends on exporting. That is why it's in Nelson's interest that we get the economic balance right around preventing over-consumption and giving the right investment signals."

He urged people to reserve their judgement until the Government released full details of its tax package. It would leave average working families better off, bring better long-term balance to the economy and close the loopholes that enable wealthy people to avoid paying tax, he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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ROSCOE   #1   10:32 am Mar 10 2010

Geez I reckon the Government haven't done their sums when it comes to increasing the "money grab" or should I say GST. For a start,wouldn't you think it will deter a portion of the millions of tourist that descend on NZ because of the NZ dollar and reasonable cost of living and literally pour millions of dollars into the economy whilst holidaying.I recently read a report on how NZ relies on tourists visiting NZ to boost the economy,but now "someone"wants to strangle the goose who lays the "golden egg". Also,why the large jump of 2.5%--are they that broke because of their mishandling of the treasury.Some might say it is "only" 2.5%,but for the low income worker it will come at a cost when you place this weight on everything in general.There is already enough pain being felt by the innocent and shouldn't have to endure further burdens being lumbered on them by a mismanaged,money hungry Tory Government. Maybe this impost is for the "elected" Ministers to enjoy a more expensive bottle of wine---Grange Coonawarra,while their quaffing down the Lobster Thermidore and Sea Scallops (Nelson,of course !!) Have a nice day.

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