National’s ‘no new taxes’ pledge leaves charges and tax hikes on table

Summarised by Centrist

National has ruled out introducing a bank tax or accommodation levy as Christopher Luxon broadens the party’s election commitment from no new taxes on working people to no new taxes at all.

“There are no new taxes on the table,” Luxon said, presenting the election as a choice between National and a Labour-led government proposing multiple new taxes.

However, the pledge does not prevent National from increasing existing taxes or introducing charges that it does not classify as taxes.

Congestion charging remains on the table after being legislated with support from most of Parliament. Nicola Willis said it would be “only to be paid by those who are using roads at that particular time”, with the money directed back into transport.

Planned increases to fuel taxes also remain possible. Luxon said an increase next January was “highly unlikely”, but did not rule out increases later.National has previously stepped back from a proposed levy on power bills to fund an LNG import facility after Labour branded it a gas tax.

The party’s rejection of an accommodation levy has angered Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, who said National appeared to be walking away from a commitment in its Regional Deal with Auckland. Brown maintains a levy on hotel stays is a user charge rather than a general tax and described National’s decision as “deeply disappointing”.

The bank-tax decision also reverses Willis’s earlier position. In May, she indicated National could campaign on taxing large financial institutions more heavily if the coalition Government did not act.

Labour says ruling out additional revenue raises questions about how National will fund services and whether further spending cuts will follow. Willis maintains disciplined spending and stronger economic growth will allow National to protect frontline services without introducing new taxes.

Read more at 1News

Receive our free newsletter here