Fran calls again to cancel tax cuts

Fran O’Sullivan again calls for the Government to cancel tax cuts:

The upshot is the construction industry got a $500 million boost this week to build roads and schools that are not even needed yet.

Not needed yet? I’m sorry Fran but you think the 18 year wait for the Kopu Bridge is not long enough? What actual roads and schools are not actually needed by the time they are completed?

As for the wider populace, all that has been on offer so far is a tax cuts programme that takes so much money out of the Government’s kitty that there is little left to spread to others desperately in need of a boost, such as pensioners, students and beneficiaries.

Good God, where do I start. First of all, National’s tax cuts have not taken any money out of the kitty, as they were almost totally funded by the changes to KiwiSaver. In fact they are a major part of increasing the fiscal stimulus because they took money that was going to be mainly locked up for decades, and instead is giving it to people now, when it is most needed.

Secondly pensioners have got a boost from the tax cuts, as their pensions are linked to after tax income.

Thirdly students have had a huge amount of largesse in recent years. And really, the thought that we’ll get through this okay by borrowing money to give to everyone not in work, to be funded by those who are in work is bizarre.

Finally why would National start their first 100 days by breaking their election promises?