Francesca Rudkin: Do either of the major parties' policies go far enough for you?

Yesterday the National Party announced its much-anticipated tax policy and now you’ve had a night to sleep on it – how does it stack up for you?   

Over the last 24 hours, Nicola Willis has done a good job of selling this policy – but this was also a policy that was designed to sell itself.   

The Party is promising tax cuts through a tax bracket adjustment, credits and rebates which will cost $14.6 billion and paid for through a combination of new taxes and cuts to public spending.   

The devil is in the detail and whether Willis’ novel ideas for increasing revenue by a move to user pays immigration, taxing offshore online gaming, and taxing foreigners who purchase a property over $2 million will actually be able to raise the $6.2 billion required is anyone’s guess.   

Surely, it’s a collective hallelujah to see both parties promise to reduce spending on government consultants and contractors, but National’s more aggressive approach to reducing back office government spending might concern you. Or maybe after years of spending on media mergers, harbour bridge crossings and various other projects that never saw the light of day – you’re thinking about time!  

Just to make sure it doesn’t sound too concerning, the National Party has been very careful to say that frontline and core agencies such as Te Whatu Ora, Ministry of Education, Education Review Office, Corrections, Oranga Tamariki, Police, Defence Force and Waka Kotahi and Kainga Ora are excluded from the reductions – they will have to make savings but these would be directed back to these services. Once again – a clever move. These are the Ministries and agencies that deal with the big issues up for debate this election.   

But regardless of concerns about spending cuts or how we’re going to raise the revenue, are we at the point where you’re prepared to take the risk and get that money in your back pocket?   

The distinctions have been made clear now between the two main parties – would you prefer to tackle the cost of living crisis by trimming everyday expenses – removing the GST of fresh fruit and veggies, cheaper public transport as we’ve seen from Labour – or cash in the hand to make your own decisions about how best to save or spend your hard-earned money.    

It’s hard to overlook the appeal of more cash in the hand. And that’s why the optics of National’s policy is so good.   

For many, this tax policy might have been the final piece in the puzzle when it comes to finalising your vote. Does it clarify your thoughts?   

What do you see as best for New Zealand? Which policy do you see working best for you? The tax cuts, and spending cuts of National, or the everyday trimming of costs by Labour, or do neither of these policies go far enough for you? 

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