Uncertainty over tax means vote for Nats

David Han (pictured) is part owner of a small accountancy business, a home owner and owns a rental property in Auckland. He does not like uncertainty — so tax is fairly high on his agenda when it comes to how he will cast his vote. He has followed the debate and policies on the economy and taxes closely and says his main concern is what Labour might do with its Tax Working Group if it got into Government. He had heard National leader Bill English’s line in the first televised debate that the New Zealand public was not an ATM for the Labour Party and it resonated. He was on a salary and would benefit from National’s income-tax cuts but said while $20 a week was “helpful” it was conservative and not enough to impact on his voting decisions.

“What I’m afraid of in terms of a Labour government is that there is lots of uncertainty about the taxes. That creates a lot of uncertainty, especially for me as a business owner.

“I think [Labour leader] Jacinda Ardern has tried to avoid details on the taxes because they know it is not going to be popular among middle to higher-income voters.”

He said some people believed a capital gains tax was fair and he was uncertain whether it was a good or bad thing, but believed any tax would end up being passed on to tenants in rent.

He said all parties should campaign on a tax policy rather than springing it on voters.

He was also critical about National’s move in 2009 to increase GST as part of the tax reforms without going to the polls on it first. “They just were not open enough to the New Zealand public.”

He had not voted for National in the past two elections but would this time.

He was also concerned about some of the larger spending promises on both sides, but especially Labour’s fees-free policy for students who were already benefiting from interestfree student loans.

“I see a yoyo situation right now. National saves the money and then the Labour Party starts spending it again.” — Claire Trevett