Labour makes tradies pay off lawyers’ student loans
Labour’s student loan policy is yet another expensive handout which can only be paid for by piling more taxes onto hardworking Kiwis, National’s Campaign Chair Simeon Brown says.
“This is the same old Labour Party that wants to spend more, tax more and borrow more. Today’s promise is yet another enormous bill on top of more than $18 billion in spending promises that Labour will need to hit Kiwis with at least nine new taxes to pay for.
“Despite what Chris Hipkins may believe, there is no magic wand that makes debt disappear. This policy simply shifts the debt onto taxpayers and means either higher taxes or more borrowing.
“Tradies, farmers, truck drivers and other working Kiwis will be footing the bill so lawyers and other high earners with large student loans can benefit from another handout from Chris Hipkins.
“When National announced our policy to lower student loan repayment rates, Labour’s Shanan Halbert said, ‘of course people should repay what they owe’. National agrees.
“New Zealand already has one of the most generous student support systems in the world, and students who borrow from taxpayers should be expected to pay it back. That’s only fair to the millions of Kiwis who work hard and pay their taxes.
“Labour’s plan will put New Zealand’s future at risk by saddling Kiwis with more taxes and debt in order to fund their wasteful spending.
“New Zealanders deserve a government focused on growing the economy, not one constantly reaching into their pockets to fund another handout.
“The choice this election is clear between National promising no new taxes and a plan to build the future, or a Labour coalition planning at least nine new taxes to pay for its spending addiction.
