September 04, 2023
Tax hole looms large as election campaigns launched
The major political parties launched their election campaigns in Auckland over the weekend, with both launches the subject of protests by Brian Tamaki’s anti-vax party Freedoms New Zealand.
National’s big spending tax cut plan set the tone, with leader Christopher Luxon following up with promises to lower inflation, grow the economy, build roads, fix crime and make your kids smarter.
Labour’s Chris Hipkins said Labour was up against parties that want to win at all costs, hoping people won’t notice their homes and roads will be up for sale to overseas investors.
He said there was a $10 billion hole in National’s transport plan and a multi-billion dollar hole in its tax policy.
“Where is that money going to come from? Massive cuts to public services and to the types of support so many kiwi families rely on. They are robbing Peter to pay Paul. They are giving wit one hand and taking more back with the other and and they are more than willing to use race, gender and whatever else it takes to drive a wedge between New Zealanders try to win an election,”
Mr Hipkins says.
He says a re-elected Labour Government will expand free basic dental care to under 30-year-olds, as a step towards universal free dental care.