Chris Hipkins has had 24 hours to rule out a Streaming Tax and a Ute Tax, and all we have heard is radio silence, National’s Campaign Chair Simeon Brown says.
“We already know Labour and their mates are planning to hit Kiwis with nine new taxes to fund their $18 billion hidden bill.
“Information revealed by National yesterday shows they appear to be planning two more, with a Streaming Tax and a Ute Tax. That would be 11 new taxes.
“Reuben Davidson announced a Streaming Tax in January, pushing up fees for anyone who watches Netflix, Neon, or Disney+. Labour is already coming for your income, your house and your farm. Now it is your Friday night on the couch.
“And Michael Wood wants to bring back his Ute Tax. That is a tax on the tradie who needs a ute for work and the farmer who needs one to run the farm. Labour tried it once. New Zealanders rejected it. National scrapped it. Now Michael Wood wants to have another crack.
“These are not backbench thought bubbles. One is a former Cabinet Minister. The other is Labour’s broadcasting and media spokesperson announcing policy in his own portfolio.
“So Chris Hipkins needs to answer two questions. Will Labour bring back the Ute Tax, yes or no? Is a Streaming Tax Labour Party policy, yes or no?
“He has had a full day and said nothing. If he cannot rule out both taxes on his media round tomorrow morning, New Zealanders can only assume Labour will be campaigning on them.
“New Zealand is three months from the election, and the choice is clear. Kiwis can re-elect a National-led Government that will keep taxes low, or a Labour-Greens-Te Pāti Māori-Opportunity Party Government that will implement nine new taxes, and counting, destroying the New Zealand economy.”
