Kia ora John,

This week I’ve heard from people around the country who are left worse off under National’s tax plan. Many have shared that they feel their tax cut isn’t worth it, when they see how much is being taken away from important areas like healthcare, housing and education.

Families are feeling the daily impact of cuts to public transport, public housing, prescriptions, and school lunches. They’ve said it feels like the National Government is giving with one hand, while taking away with the other.

The family National used as an example in their own tax brochure are left with less due to the Government’s choices. This whānau will be spending at least $80 a week extra because of poor policy decisions to pay for their tax cut, which will only be $50.

In the example, Wiremu and Mia both work full-time, earning $60,000 each, for an average household income of $120,000. They have two primary school-aged children. If they live in Auckland, National’s choices mean they’ll now be spending:

• $50 more on public transport for their children
• $5 more for most prescriptions
• If they own a home, $25 more in rates and insurance
• If they’re renting, $31 more in rent
• They’ll also lose the $5000–$10,000 First Home Grant

No matter which way you look at it, this family is worse off. These changes are even more dire for pensioners, who will get just $2.15 a week, and for thousands of people who have lost their jobs.

Our health and education systems are suffering because of National’s choices. There is a desperate need for more funding for hospital staffing, health infrastructure, and GP visits. Teachers and students are wondering why their much-needed classrooms and support staff are no longer being funded. In my hometown of Porirua, large public housing builds have been put on hold, and we know this is happening all across the country. We need more houses, not less.

When we invest in better services, we all benefit, and we are stronger as a country. With your support, we’ll continue holding the Government to account for its reckless cuts that are taking us backwards.

Barbara Edmonds,
Labour Spokesperson for Finance
MP for Mana
Labour.org.nz