Luxon’s power tax will hit households and jobs

Responding to today’s announcement of a new tax on the electricity sector, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross said:

“Introducing a new tax during a cost-of-living crisis would be a huge political mistake. Luxon promised ‘no new taxes’, and he will destroy his credibility if he u-turns now.”

“You don’t make electricity bills cheaper by taxing them. Dancing on the head of a pin over what is a tax and what is a levy is a Labour Party talking point. Luxon should spare us the spin and abandon this folly.”

“Assuming the Government’s ballpark estimates are correct, based on last year’s total electricity generation Kiwi households are about to wake up to an extra cost of between $50 and $90 each."

“Make no mistake, a tax on power will hit jobs and make households worse off. If Luxon wants to spend money on LNG plants, he needs to find the money through savings elsewhere.”