National is committing to no new taxes if re-elected on November 7, Leader Christopher Luxon and Finance spokesperson Nicola Willis confirmed today.
“National believes that New Zealand should be a country where if you work hard, you can get ahead,” Christopher Luxon says.
“Part of that means keeping taxes low so New Zealanders can keep more of what they earn and have more choices about what they and their family can do with their money. But that is only possible under a National Government.
“Tax is a defining theme for this election, and the choice for Kiwis is clear. It’s either a National Government promising no new taxes, or a Labour and its prospective coalition proposing at least nine new taxes.
“One of the first things National did upon entering Government was to provide tax relief for working New Zealanders for the first time in 14 years.
“Our promise of no new taxes this election reflects our disciplined economic management, focused on growing the economy, creating jobs, lifting wages and keeping taxes low. It’s part of National’s plan to fix the basics and build the future.
“That is in stark contrast to Labour, with its $18 billion of spending promises and its record of higher taxes and higher debt. Labour’s approach means higher costs, fewer jobs, stagnant wages and a less secure future for New Zealanders.”
Nicola Willis says National can continue to invest in the frontline public services that New Zealanders rely on every day without introducing new taxes on Kiwis.
“Labour spent up large in government, racked up $120 billion more debt and kept taxes higher with nothing to show for it. It is proposing the same mistakes again and Kiwis will be left paying the price for years to come.
“National has brought the government books under control through disciplined spending and by creating the settings to support economic growth. That work means we don't need to reach for new taxes to pay for frontline public services.
“And unlike Labour, we don’t have $18 billion of spending promises. Labour has already committed to a Capital Gains Tax and a $5 billion Business Tax but still needs to find the rest of the money to pay for its promises.
“Tellingly, Labour has not made clear in today’s fiscal policy announcement that their new Capital Gains Tax is the only tax change they would implement, leaving the door open to a suite of further tax changes.
“Conveniently for Labour, its mates in the Greens, Te Pati Maori and The Opportunity Party are also planning a raft of new taxes. Between the four of them, at least nine new taxes are on the table which would help pay for their spending promises but worsen the cost of living and ruin the economy in the process.
“Under National, there are no new taxes on the table.
“That includes no accommodation levy or bank tax. We determined there is no way to do an accommodation levy without increasing costs on Kiwis booking a weekend away, so we’ll look at how existing mechanisms could be used to support councils with the costs of tourism,” Ms Willis says.
“Labour wants to tax Kiwis more. National wants no new taxes. That's the choice at this election,” Mr Luxon says.