The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi (NZCTU) welcomes the Green Party’s fiscal plan, which tackles the issues working people most want fixed: the cost of living, job growth, broken infrastructure, and the public services we all rely on.
“Working people are asking for bold reform, and this plan treats their concerns with the seriousness they deserve,” says Sandra Grey, NZCTU President.
“For decades New Zealand has underinvested in its infrastructure. Working Kiwis are sick of broken water systems, substandard public transport, and ageing hospitals and schools.
“Public services are under more pressure than ever, and health alone faces a funding gap estimated at $6 billion a year. The Greens’ focus on lifting infrastructure investment and closing that health funding gap is particularly welcome.”
Grey says Luxon’s Government has repeatedly used arbitrary debt and spending targets to justify cuts to public services.
“Government funding should be set by what people need, not by arbitrary fiscal targets. We know there are big shortfalls right across public services, and the Greens’ commitment to reverse the planned baseline funding cuts for public services will mean working Kiwis can get the care and support they need.”
NZCTU has long called for tax reform to tackle growing inequality and make sure government can sustain public services over the long term.
“We need to structurally lift government revenue, and that means properly taxing capital and wealth. Inland Revenue’s own research found the country’s 311 wealthiest families pay an effective tax rate of less than half that paid by middle-income New Zealanders, because income from capital isn’t adequately taxed. That is unfair, and it holds our whole economy back.
“Fiscal policy is one of the most powerful tools we have for building a stronger economy, making us more resilient, and creating good jobs. The Greens have shown how that tool can be used to improve the lives of working Kiwis.
“NZCTU will always back plans that put working people, strong public services, and communities first, and this is a real step in that direction,” says Grey.
