Nats pull ‘car tax’ attack ad after ruling

WELLINGTON: National has pulled one of its online advertisements attacking Labour’s ‘‘car tax’’ after the advertising watchdog ruled it was likely to ‘‘confuse or deceive’’ the public.

But National told RNZ yesterday it ‘‘strongly disagrees’’ with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and would appeal the decision.

The advertisement in question is one of a barrage of attack advertisements which National has rolled out on social media targeting the Government’s proposed ‘‘feebate’’ scheme and fuel efficiency standards.

The post — published on the party’s Facebook page in July — accused the Government of imposing a $6000 ‘‘car tax’’.

The graphic was accompanied by text stating: ‘‘What hope does an ordinary Kiwi have for getting some relief from taxes and costs if the people running the government think $6000 is a small fee?’’

It prompted two complaints from the public which argued the statement was ‘‘misleading or deceptive’’ as the policy stated the largest fee to be imposed was $3000 and only applied to a ‘‘very small number’’ of ‘‘the most gasguzzling’’ vehicles.

The ASA upheld the charges in late August and requested the post be removed, ruling it was ‘‘likely to confuse or deceive consumers’’.

Responding to the complaints, National doubleddown on its claim and said the point of the advertisement was to ‘‘draw the viewers’ attention to the [policy’s] negative effect’’. — RNZ