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Op-ed: National has a moral duty to cut taxes
Originally published by the National Business Review, Monday 23 May, 2016Centre-right political parties have a moral duty to lower taxes and allow people to take home more of their own money.The National Party’s values – limited government; individual freedom and choice; competitive enterprise and reward for achievement –...
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Budget 2016 - our first impressions
No tax cuts announced, no surprise there. No tax cuts flagged for the future, very disappointing. No roll back of fiscal drag, or bracket creep, for people paying more tax simply because their pay has increased with inflation — unfair and deserving more attention than the brush off...
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Tax Freedom Day 2016
This year Budget Day falls on "Tax Freedom Day" - the first day that New Zealanders stop working for the Government and begin working for themselves.According to OECD figures general government total outlays now equal 40.0% of the New Zealand economy. That means, for the average Kiwi, when the clock...
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Op-Ed: Panama Papers don’t reveal what the opposition claimed – at least so far
Originally published by the National Business Review, Monday Monday May 9, 2016Today was meant to be the day we learned what the Prime Minister was hiding in relation to the release of stolen client files from Mossack Fonseca, a law firm, which have been labelled the “Panama Papers.” Here at...
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Labour's policy to abolish Auckland urban boundary
The Labour Party's Housing spokesperson, Phil Twyford, has called on the Government to abolish Auckland's urban growth boundary to allow the city to expand. We wholeheartedly agree with any measures to reduce the regulatory taxes which are choking supply, so are backing Labour's proposal.Like tax cuts always being delayed,...
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New report: Money for all - considering a Universal Basic Income
A Universal Basic Income which avoided superannuitants and beneficiaries being made worse off would require a flat rate income tax of more than 50% or drastic cuts in Government services to pay for it, according to a new report we're releasing today.The report, Money for all: the winners and losers...
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One tax law for all? Apparently not
The other week it was announced that Tainui and Ngai Tahu-owned Go Bus had picked up four South Auckland public transport contracts. Initial media reports suggested that this was not a sign of the best man (or company) winning, but rather the result of a quirk in New...
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When politics is life and death
On Monday I teamed up on Newstalk ZB with left wing commentator Josie Pagani to talk about the 11,000-strong petition calling on the Government to fund the new melanoma drug, Keytruda, and the support the campaign has received from opposition politicians, particularly Labour Party leader Andrew Little.The personal stories of people desperate...
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MBIE's bad numbers lead to bad policy
We're calling for an apology from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment after bad numbers provided to the Government caused them to approve mandatory insulation requirements for rental properties thinking that the requirements would result in $640 million of economic gains, when in reality they will result...
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Revealed: Speaker's warning to Labour over Parliamentary funds
We are blowing the whistle on the apparent misuse of taxpayer-funded Parliamentary resources by the Labour Party.Some weeks ago Labour sent an email in the name of Paul Chalmers, the Project Manager at Labour House, to Labour's Auckland supporters detailing how Andrew Little had opened a Auckland office...
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Auckland motorists already paying plenty
We are hitting out at renewed calls to introduce a new motorway or congestion tax for Auckland and calling on the National Party to stand by its election promise and rule out new taxes.The proposal would require the National-led Government passing legislation to allow Auckland Council to tax...
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LINZ charging excessive fees
Today we revealed that Land Information New Zealand has overcharged New Zealanders by $40 million for its "Landonline" service, despite the requirement that it is to function on a cost-recovery basis.Data from LINZ shows the account as having a forecast surplus of $40.284 million at 1 July 2016.Landonline is the...
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Upper Hutt Mayor responds to criticism
Over the weekend we revealed more Upper City Council corporate welfare 'economic development' grants amounting to $375,000 of ratepayers’ money. Joining Burger Fuel, grant recipients include Subway, Vogue (a clothing store), Bed Bath and Beyond, and even a hairdresser!Stuff.co.nz covered our comments here:"It is economic trickery benefiting only the...
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Corporate welfare for hairdressers?
Back in June we slammed Upper Hutt City Council for giving a $32,000 Business Development Support grant to listed fast-food retailer BurgerFuel to set up a shop in the City. Now we can reveal that Subway, a hairdresser, a cinema and even a Bed Bath and Beyond also received ratepayer-funded grants.So far in...
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Government Ministers too posh to fly Jetstar?
The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Ministers are not practicing what they preach in their apparent support for more competition in New Zealand’s skies. In August, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Transport Minister Simon Bridges welcomed Jetstar’s expansion into the regions. But despite the apparent support, it appears than not...
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Mexican sales falsehood continues to be repeated by anti-sugar lobby
This weekend TV3’s The Nation looked at excise taxes and specifically whether the sorts of taxes we impose on alcohol and tobacco should be extended to sugar, fats, or junk food.Professor Nick Wilson from Otago University is quoted in support of imposing a sugar tax (among others) and...
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Jim Rose: The low skilled won't be hired for living wage jobs
The Taxpayers' Union and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce are mulling legal action against the Wellington City Council's decision to restrict it choice of security contractors to those paying a 'living wage'. We've told the the National Business Review that if the Chamber don't, we will almost certainly...
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Chairman's Address and Report to the 2015 AGM
When we launched the NZTU back in November 2013, I remarked, echoing Churchill, that this was not the beginning of the end, or even the end of the beginning.It was in fact the beginning of the beginning. Now two years ago, we can see how far we have...
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WCC legal challenge
The Taxpayers’ Union is currently considering legal action against Wellington City Council following the council voting to extend the so-called living wage to private contractors.Like others, our initial legal advice is that the Council is highly likely in breach of the Local Government Act which requires Council to...
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$80,000 taxpayers dollars for meaningless waffle
The Government is giving $80,000 (labeled a "Community Development Scheme" grant) to the Methodist Mission for the following:The key outcome for the project is the development of a greater sense of community within the inner city. The project’s goal is to harness this energy to empower residents and the broader...
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Taxing the ill
DHBs charging millions for patients to parkOur new briefing paper on public hospital parking charges reveals that District Health Boards are raking in nearly $15 million per year in parking charges at New Zealand’s public hospitals.The information has been compiled from Official Information Act requests shows that more than $44...
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Guest post: GST on online purchases
Greg Harford, the General Manager of Public Affairs at Retail New Zealand has drafted the following on proposals to reduce the threshold for GST for imported goods purchased online.Many people agree that tax is a necessary evil that we need to provide core Government services. Many people also think that, if...
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First sugar taxes, now meat, dairy, and even bread
Within hours of our release of our latest report paper examining why sugar and other food taxes don't work, Auckland University has published a report calling for new food taxes which looks to be the most ridiculous yet.Auckland University academics are calling for a 20% flat rate tax on bread; breakfast...
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MBIE revoke offer to meet
The head of the government department that spent $140,474 on a TV screen, $67,339 on a sign and $5,480 on an arts consultant for its new Wellington offices, has retracted an offer made to the Taxpayers’ Union to meet about the Ministry’s spending.After we expressed public concerns last week about...
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Porky presents waste award to MBIE officials
Porky, the Taxpayers’ Union government waste mascot, this morning visited the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to award a Government Waste Certificate of Achievement to David Smol, the Ministry's Chief Executive, for the Ministry’s extraordinary lavish office fit out.After some waiting, Mr Smol failed to front, but an MBIE official...
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New report: Corporate welfare in the 2015 budget
Corporate welfare in Budget 2015 will cost the average New Zealand household more than $750.Any new kids at the trough? a report by Jim Rose launched today, collates all of the corporate welfare in Budget 2015. The report updates our previous report, Monopoly Money: the cost of corporate welfare since 2008.The new...
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Saudi Sheep deal: Complaint to Auditor General
Last week the Taxpayers’ Union called on Foreign Affairs Minister, Murray McCully, to publicly release the legal advice relating to the Saudi sheep deal. Our own legal advice is that a genuine claim is highly unlikely. Now that the dispute has been settled, there can be no prejudice to the...
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Tax Freedom Day 2015
Today marks the first working day New Zealanders stop working for the Government and take home what they earn. According to figures from the OECD, New Zealand’s total government outlays as a percentage of GDP is 41.4% this year, with Kiwis marking ‘Tax Freedom Day’ on Queens Birthday...
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Why abolishing the KiwiSaver $1,000 kick starter makes sense
On One News, they found someone to complain that they won’t be getting a free $1,000 KiwiSaver contribution from the taxpayer. She claimed that the contribution “kind of feels stolen” from her.Her name is Alexa Rae Johnson. The same one who only moved to NZ this month to start a job here. Has been...
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How to avoid ACC over-payment
ACC fees are being cut - so why is the NZTA trying to charge motorists more?Earlier this month ACC Minister, Nikki Kaye, announced cuts to the levies that motorists have to pay. The new fee regime will come into force from 1 July 2015. Unfortunately for taxpayers, it...
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Stop the Travel Tax
In Budget 2015, Bill English has delivered a new tax on hard working New Zealanders - a tax on travel.Bill English's Travel Tax will clip the wings of Kiwi families - making it about $80 more expensive for a family of four to get the the Gold Coast.With...
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National deliver high tax, high spend Budget
Your humble taxpayer advocates have just been released from today’s Budget 2015 lock-up. We wish we had better newsFrom a taxpayer perspective, Budget 2015 is Bill English’s worst. We have awarded it a two out of ten, and “National’s Labour-Green high tax, high spend Budget”.Instead of controlling spending, cutting...
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The $26m flag referendum
During the 2014 election, part of National's campaign platform was to hold a referendum on the New Zealand flag.With the design process now underway, public opinion is divided over whether the $26m cost of the referendum is value for money.While some of the proposed designs have been taken...
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IRD exercise video
The IRD has spent more than $418,000 of taxpayer money on a campaign featuring a YouTube video of 80’s style aerobic exercises to promote filing of tax returns. You paid for it, so you might as well enjoy it:It is essential that the public are well informed on how...
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Tell Steven Joyce to pay it back
Yesterday saw the disclosure of MPs' and Ministers' expenses - the perks they get courtesy of taxpayers to fulfil their duties.Like most taxpayers, we were aghast to learn that Steven Joyce had racked up a mind-boggling taxi bill while on a day-trip to Sydney. The driver was instructed...
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Taniwha Tax petition launched
After the launch of The Taniwha Tax: Briefing paper on Auckland Council's new Mana Whenua rules, we were inundated with emails from our members and supporters, aghast at the silent imposition of this regulatory tax upon Auckland property owners.Many expressed concern that Central Government appeared to be sitting...
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Check whether your property is one of the 18,000 affected by the Taniwha Tax
Although some types of resource consent activities (such as discharging into water or air) may trigger 'cultural impact assessments' regardless of where they are in Auckland, the main impact is likely to be initially felt by property owners within 200m of more than 3,600 sites of value to Mana...
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Launch of Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance
You asked and we deliveredOver the last 18 months, we have received a lot of feedback from members and supporters that something needs to be done to hold the flame to Len Brown and Auckland Council’s culture of waste. We've been doing our best from here in Wellington,...
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10-year passports shouldn't come at a price
We are repeating our calls on the Government to increase the term and lower the price of New Zealand passports. Documents obtained under the Official Information Act show that despite the review having been scheduled for completion by the Department of Internal Affairs in December 2014, it only...
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Len Brown gagging ethnic advisory panel members
The message Auckland Council is effectively giving members of its Ethnic Advisory Panel is "Shut up until you're told to speak."The Council appears to be in damage control after a member of the panel joined the Chairman and resigned labeling the Panel 'tokenism' and a 'waste of money'.These...
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Bribe-O-Meter - cost of NZ First Northland bribes now more than $200 per NZ household
Following another week of policy announcements on the Northland by-election campaign trail, NZ First is now clocking up promises that, if implemented, would cost more than $200 per New Zealand household.As of today, National has promised $63.5 million for Northland, while NZ First's promises total $378.9 million. The amounts...
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Winston Peters' flagship policy an unwanted handout
It appears that Mr Peters wants to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a NorthPort rail link, but hasn't even spoken to the Port's management.The Taxpayers' Union can reveal that Winston Peters has never visited, nor spoken to the management of the port company his key Northland by-election promise is...
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Northland Bribe-O-Meter update
Today we have released updated figures for our Northland by-election edition of the election costing Bribe-O-Meter. The figures show that National is catching up with NZ First in the amount of taxpayer funding pledged to the electorate.We have updated our figures to take account of Simon Bridges' Akerama...
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GST and online sales
The Government has announced that it is currently investigating ways to ensure New Zealanders are charged GST on purchases they make online from foreign vendors. Netflix was one of the first companies to state that they do not intend on charging New Zealanders GST to use their service.Just...
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Ratepayer-funded fashion advice at Auckland Council
Back-office Council staff have been receiving chic stylist advice courtesy of Auckland ratepayersDespite the Council cutting services and library hours, the council seemingly has money for make-up and fashion advice for back-office accounting staff.Material we’ve just released us show that the Council accountancy team hired image consultants Fox...
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Northland Bribe-O-Meter
While the by-election is a show-down in Northland, the cost of politicians’ pork-barrel politics will impact upon the pockets of all New Zealand taxpayersToday we are proud to relaunch our election Bribe-O-Meter to keep track of the pork-barrel promises being announced on the Northland campaign trail. The Bribe-O-Meter...
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Public sector pay rises a tax on private earners
When the Prime Minister announced an overhaul of the way that MPs’ pay would be calculated, after an embarrassing 5.4% pay rise form the Remuneration Authority, we at the Taxpayers’ Union were cautiously optimistic.While it was reassuring to see politicians from across the political spectrum admit that the...
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Massive cost blowout at IRD
In what is the largest example of government waste the Taxpayers' Union has exposed so far, we can this morning reveal that the Government is about to blow $163 million on back peddling 2013 changes to the IRD's child support system.In 2013 the Government passed significant reform of...
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Politicians pontificating on pay-rise policy
This morning we called the bluff of MPs, some of who are crying crocodile tears in the media about their pay hike. We wrote to each asking whether they will be accepting the backdated pay increase.We asked each MP the following: Dear Member,Given various public comments that yesterday’s determination...
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No one fighting for taxpayers
The Remuneration Authority has approved another five and a half percent pay rise for backbench MPs, backdated to July last year.With inflation close to zero this 5.4 percent boost is a slap in the face to taxpayers. In what other profession do you get paid an allowance for your family’s travel expenses?For...
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Auckland Council's ten very expensive tickets
This morning we have released documents we've obtained from the Auckland Council revealing that ATEED, Auckland Council's economic development agency, has gifted $50,000 of ratepayers' money to the prestigious Remuera Golf Club for the Holden PGANZ Championship.Auckland Council claims to have no money, but finds $50,000 of 'spare' ratepayers' money...
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We did it!
You spoke and they listened!Steven Joyce has announced that no taxpayer money is going to be used to support SkyCity’s convention centre. Instead, SkyCity are going back to the drawing board to come up with a cheaper design. Fantastic.In just a few days more than fifteen hundred people signed...
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Overwhelming opposition to taxpayer support of SkyCity
Following yesterday's poll (94% said NO to SkyCity getting taxpayer money), and the even stronger result on last night's Campbell LIVE we've just launched an online petition to tell John Key not to give our taxpayer money on SkyCity.Click here to sign the SkyCity petition.
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SkyCity look set to hit the jackpot
The NZ Herald is reporting that Prime Minister John Key is not ruling out taxpayer money being used to subsidise the controversial SkyCity convention centre. Despite the deal being finalised in May 2013, it is reported that negotiations between the Crown and SkyCity are ongoing and nothing has been...
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Ratepayer Funded Art (with poll)
In light of Auckland Council’s decision to spend $200,000 on a sculpture many are saying in symbolic of the treatment of its ratepayers, I wanted to highlight how lucky we are in Wellington to have the Wellington Sculpture Trust. Why is it that Auckland Council seems to keep...
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Coverage of LGNZ's efforts to impose new taxes
Coverage of the Taxpayers' Union response to LGNZ's efforts to impose new council taxes such as local fuel, sales and even income taxes.Taxpayers' Union fuming over council plan (3 News, 2 February 2015)A ratepayer-funded plan which suggests imposing more taxes to raise cash for councils has the Taxpayers'...
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Local councils want ability to impose regional income, fuel and sales taxes
Local Government New Zealand, is spending considerable ratepayer money on a campaign promoting local income taxes, regional fuel taxes and regional GST-style regimes to increase the tax burden of local councils. LGNZ today launched a review document on various options for new taxes. You can download the paper here.This diagram illiterates well the growth...
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HPA now giving away taxpayer funded surfboards and fishing rods
A few weeks ago we went public with our concerns about the ’No Beersie' campaign by the Health Promotion Agency. To recap:* the campaign cost taxpayers $1.2 million;* it doesn’t target those most likely to be affected by alcohol related harm; and* even the HPA’s own focus groups...
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Taxpayer support of Eleanor Catton
The Taxpayers’ Union is releasing figures obtained from Creative NZ showing that author-turned-policy-critic, Eleanor Catton, has received tens of thousands of dollars worth of grants courtesy of New Zealand taxpayers.Some might question why Ms Catton would have a go at New Zealand when it's Kiwi taxpayers who have largely funded...
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HPA spends $1.2 million on "Not Beersies" campaign
Today we released documents which detail the cost and focus group feedback on the ridiculous “Not Beersies” campaign by the Health Promotion Agency.The documents show that:the campaign had the least positive impact on entrenched, high-risk drinkers;it instead targets those least likely to face harm from alcohol consumption;the HPA spent at...
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Survey on Police zero tolerance policy
We're running a poll on whether the Police's zero tolerance speed policy is just about road safety or also has an element of revenue gathering. To vote, click here.We had 478 votes and here are the final results: Do you agree? Join the discussion on our Facebook page.
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SkyCity handout: Letter to the editor nails it
A letter to editor published in today's NZ Herald nails the problem with SkyCity trying to strong-arm the Government for a handout for the National Convention Centre.Corporate parasites cashing inCommenting on its convention centre proposal, SkyCity says it is “working on a solution with the Government to bridge the...
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Len Brown's rates
Today we released information showing that while Aucklanders have been facing hefty rates increases, rates for Len Brown’s seven bedroom mansion have been falling.Information obtained by the Taxpayers’ Union show that Mr Brown’s annual rates bill has fallen by several hundred dollars since becoming Mayor – from $3,994.05...
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Guest Post: Larry Mitchell on Auckland Council’s “Elephant in the Room”Guest Post: Larry Mitchell on Auckland Council’s “Elephant in the Room”
In the last year there has been a lot of discussion regarding efforts by Auckland Council to fund its yawning funding gap, a gap that mostly relates to its transportation (roading) budgets. New tolls for existing motorways are a possibility, as well as distorying the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust so...
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Daniel Hannan MEP on David Cunliffe & Trickle Down Myth
Daniel Hannan, a Conservative Member of the European Parliament, has written an article for CapX on the myth of “trickle down economics”. He quotes former Labour Party leader David Cunliffe and seeks to dispel the myth surrounding free market economics.In the run-up to the recent New Zealand election,...
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SkyCity convention centre bailout? NBR readers say no
Just before the Christmas break we were aghast to learn that SkyCity was looking to a government bailout after cost overruns with the National Convention Centre project.It looks as though NBR readers agree with us.An overwhelming number of NBR poll participants say the government should not pitch in $130 million...
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Sky City corporate welfare
Fairfax has picked up our comments on SkyCity's recent comments to prompt taxpayer funding of the controversial convention centre.Auckland Councillors blast Sky City 'corporate welfare' Stuff 22/12/2014Auckland ratepayers should not have to pay for a blow-out in the cost of the Sky City National Convention Centre, councillors say.Economic...
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Cruisin' on the taxpayer
New Zealand taxpayers have forked out $9 million to pay for a four-day UN conference in Samoa that included hiring the luxury P&O Pacific Jewel cruise liner. New Zealand covered the accommodation and operating costs, of September’s Small Island Developing States.We not aware of New Zealand taxpayers having ever chartered such...
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State Services Commission staff the highest paid
The average salary for staff at the State Services Commission is higher than at any other government department, according to figures released by the Taxpayers’ Union. This morning’s Dominion Post reported the Commission staff earn an average of more than $113,000 a year - $45,000 more than the public...
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Annual Review
The Taxpayers’ Union has today released its annual review, covering the first 12 months of operations.We’re proud of the document, and what we’ve achieved to date, but there is still plenty to be done.There are hundreds of organisations that campaign for more government spending and a higher tax burden....
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'Trickle down economics' doesn't exist
This morning's Radio NZ's Morning Report interviewed Labour's Finance Spokesperson Grant Robertson on the OECD report on inequality released today. In the interview, Mr Roberson referred a number of times to 'trickle-down economics' and reiterated the point Green Party co-leader Russel Norman made in an earlier interview that...
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Time for recall elections for local government?
On Sunday we suggested that New Zealanders should be given the ability to recall their representatives after the latest of a series of scandals involving Auckland Mayor Len Brown was revealed. The NZ Herald picked up our suggestion:'Secret room' spending shows need for recall electionsA lobby group says...
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Is bigger better for local councils?
That's the question facing the Wellington region with the Local Government Commission releasing it's proposal for a "Super City" stretching from the Wairarapa to the Cook Strait.A TDB Advisory report, commissioned last year by the Hutt City Council, reviewed the international literature on the relationship between size and cost-effectiveness...
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First birthday
A year ago today the Taxpayers’ Union launched with the aim to become a loud voice fighting for lower taxes, less government waste, and to put pressure on politicians to cut corporate and union welfare. Today's anniversary is a good chance to look back on some of the campaign highlights...
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Clarification of council debt in Hawke's Bay
The Hawke's Bay today is referencing our Ratepayers' Report - local government league tables, in correcting what appear to be mistaken information about the indebtedness of Hastings District and Napier City councils. Local debate is raging in Hawke's Bay as the twin cities prepare for the release of...
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Joyce responds to corporate welfare analysis
Steven Joyce has provided a response to Jim Rose's Monopoly Money report - but appears to focus just on R&D tax credits, rather than address the bulk of corporate welfare identified in the report.Joyce disputes corporate welfare analysisEconomic Development Minister Steven Joyce is disputing the Taxpayers’ Union analysis...
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NBR on 'Monopoly Money'
Crony capitalism undermines sustainable growth National Business Review - 14/10/2014 On Friday we launched our hardest hitting report to date,Monopoly Money. The report includes forewords by Labour's Napier MP, Stuart Nash, and the Chief Executive of the Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Michael Barnett, ONZM.This morning the NBR published Mr Nash's foreword as...
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Waikato Times editorial on corporate welfare
The Waikato Times has picked up our Monopoly Money report and recent comments by Trade Me founder Sam Morgan.
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Taxpayers' Union lends voice to international coalition
Today the Taxpayers’ Union has joined a large international coalition of taxpayer groups with the intention of opposing supranational taxation schemes, including ‘harmonising’ tax rates across borders and levying taxes on behalf of international bodies. The 22 signatories represent groups from 15 different counties.International efforts to subject New...
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New report on corporate welfare
The Taxpayers’ Union has today launched new a report, Monopoly Money, which examines the cost and case for New Zealand’s extensive corporate welfare programmes. The report, which examines the cost of corporate welfare since the 2007/2008 budget, shows:Since National took office, corporate welfare has cost taxpayers $1-1.4 billion ($600 - $800 per household) per yearIf corporate welfare...
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Serious questions for Wananga
This morning's lead story in the NZ Herald will no doubt leave a bad taste in taxpayers' mouths, with reports that the Whakatane-based Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi has received $6 million in payments it wasn't entitled to.The Warriors are caught up in an investigation into a Maori tourism...
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Time for Fed Farmers to be weaned
In yesterday’s NBR it was revealed that the Federated Farmers lobby group had received $228,000 of taxpayers’ money in the past five years.“It shows Federated Farmers received many payments via three Sustainable Farming Fund projects – a contestable fund investing up to $8 million a year in applied...
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Pie in the sky
This morning we released advice on the cost to taxpayers of three of Internet-Mana’s education policies. At a total cost of $17.6 billion they are higher than the entire policy package of the three main political parties combined.Labour leader David Cunliffe is right when he reportedly said that...
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Final results of Bribe-O-Meter published
Yesterday we published the final update of our election costing 'Bribe-O-Meter' in the lead-up to Saturday’s election.The Bribe-O-Meter now reflects the costs of all policies announced. It shows that of the main parties:the Greens have promised to spend the most, $6.54 billion, or $3,857.77 per household during the...
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Free Tertiary Education on the Taxpayer
Internet-Mana promises free tertiary study Stuff.co.nz - 12/09/2014Free tertiary education and a universal student allowance could be delivered immediately if they were prioritised over tax cuts, the Internet-Mana Party says.…Taxpayers' Union spokesman Ben Craven said writing off student debt would benefit professionals such as lawyers and doctors who had...
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Cost of forgiving student debt
Yesterday the Internet-Mana Party announced that it wants to forgive existing student loan debt.NBR: Internet Mana says it will forgive student debt, currently totaling $14.2bInternet Mana has today today confirmed it would make tertiary education free — but added a new wrinkle: a pledge to "Develop a comprehensive loan...
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NZ First still won't front up
With just over a week to go until the general election, and with much chatter of Winston Peters riding high in the polls. New Zealand First still won't front up with details of the cost of its election policies for inclusion in the 'Bribe-O-Meter'. This morning we issued a media...
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Dr Michael Dunn on relationship between unemployment and minimum wage
Minimum wage policy was quite a feature on last night's TV3 leaders' debate between John Key and David Cunliffe. Stuff reports:The first half of the televised TV3 debate was dominated by the economy, with Key on the attack over Labour’s plan to raise the minimum wage by $2.Key...
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Are the Greens still an environmental party?
Analysis of the spending promises by the Green Party shows that only 9% of the Party’s committed spending so far this election relates to environmental priorities. According to the ‘Bribe-O-Meter' of the $4.9 billion in new spending the party is promising, only $443 million relates to the environment.Unlike the Green Party...
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Expert costing of Green Party wage policy
The Taxpayers’ Union is today releasing independent research from former NZIER Principal Economist, Dr Michael Dunn, which raises significant questions about the Green Party’s election costings.Dr Dunn’s analysis of the Green Party’s “Fairer Reward for Fair Effort” policy document shows that the Party’s taxation forecasts are incorrect and instead of...
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Dr Michael Gousmett on shifting the burden
According to an article in The Press, the Christchurch City Council is to approach the government regarding the ownership costs of the city’s proposed major facilities. That then shifts the burden from the city’s ratepayers to the country’s taxpayers.Council trying to lighten load for city ratepayers“The city council...
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Taxpayers’ Union has attacked National more often than any other party
Since the Taxpayers’ Union launched a number of left wing critics have claimed that we are just a front for the National Party, and are biased in its favour. The critics are wrong and their politically motivated criticisms are just nonsense.We have always maintained that our stand is...
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Minor parties added to Bribe-O-Meter
We've added the Green, ACT, United Future and Conservative Parties to the ‘Bribe-O-Meter’ election costing page launched last month. Excluding ACT and New Zealand First, the total election ‘bribes’ - that is new spending not already in the budget covering the next parliamentary term, equals $12.7 billion, or $7,486...
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Inciting violence, but @peace with taxpayers’ money
Music has always been a tool of free expression. Particularly from the 1960s onwards, artists began politicising their messages through music, voicing their opinions about war, famine and other hardships. The Beatles, Bob Geldof, The Exploited and Pussy Riot music has not just been a tool of expression, but...
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Dunedin City Council Loses 152 Cars!
The Taxpayers' Union is calling for Dunedin City Council to disclose more details after it was revealed 152 Council vehicles have been sold without the Council recouping a cent. It is estimated that the Council is out of pocket to the tune of $1.5 million.Dunedin City Council criticised...
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Taxpayers' Union launch 2014 Bribe-o-meter
This morning we launched our 2014 election costing project to calculate the total cost of promises politicians make in the lead up to the 2014 General Election. The “Bribe-o-meter” allows Kiwis to judge for themselves the political bribes as parties vie for votes.The Bribe-o-meter will hold the politicians...
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Porky presents troughing award to CEO of Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs
Introducing Porky, our new mascot and aspiring list MP!Porky loves identifying troughing MPs and bureaucrats. The crème de la crème, he surprises with an awards ceremony. After all, when you’ve turned troughing on the taxpayer into an art, it would be rude to get no recognition!This morning Porky...
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Fair Tax for Savers
This afternoon in partnership with Age Concern, Consumer NZ and the Financial Services Council, we launched the 'Fair Tax for Savers' campaign in Wellington. What is the Fair Tax for Savers Campaign asking for?We're calling on politicians to remove the over-taxation of long term savings, specifically:the effective tax rate paid...
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Radio LIVE interview on Senior Citizens brouchure
Earlier today Jordan Williams joined Marcus Lush on RadioLIVE about the Office Senior Citizens brochure on common sense.
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NZ Herald on patronizing brochures
Backlash over costly brochure Herald on Sunday - 27/07/2014The Herald on Sunday included comments from Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams in coverage of the recent "No car? No problem!" brochure from the Office for Senior Citizens which cost approximately $37,000 excluding staff time. "A brochure telling senior citizens they can...
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