NEWS: National to keep Working for Families unchanged

8 Comments
27 July 2008
NEWS: National to keep Working for Families unchanged

An incoming National government would make no changes to the Working for Families tax credit system, says National Party Leader John Key.

"National wants to offer New Zealand families certainty about the future of the Working for Families system. That's why we intend making no change to it.

"A large number of New Zealand families get Working for Families. National understands this. I know it is particularly tough out there for families with kids. These are families with mums and dads who are working long hours, trying to get by on a modest wage in the absence of tax cuts under this Labour Government. We don't want to make life more difficult for them.

"While National has long been concerned about how far up the income scale Working for Families stretches, a careful analysis of possible changes at the higher income levels showed that it was not worthwhile making them.

"I have long held concerns, in addition, about high effective marginal tax rates acting as a disincentive to people under WFF, but we are confident that this issue will be addressed by our tax package.

"As I have always said, I am interested in what works. National acknowledges that Working for Families payments are an important part of the income of many families.

"Despite concerns we hold about the system, I consider that offering people certainty is much more important in these tough economic times."

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#1 - Mark Hubbard 2008-07-27 23:00 - (Reply)

This is appalling. I have to continue being taxed to pay for someone else's life choice to have a baby. I want the socialists gone, but National are also the socialists. What a liability Flip Flop John has become for the National Party. The Clayton's Labour Party. Bet you the moderator doesn't let this through. If not, please pass it on to your leader. This is just such crap.

#2 - Chris Findlay 2008-07-28 07:43 - (Reply)

My wife and I sold our business in NZ in order to flee from the socialistic policies of the Labour Party which are destroying our country. We have been waiting for the National Party to get into power hoping that there will be a change of direction for NZ. I am shocked to learn that National will keep the current "working for families" policy introduced by the present Government and in one foul swoop my hope is gone. When will you Politicians learn that you cannot please everybody and that people respect a Party that takes a POSITION. I am incredibly disappointed with National. I can see those in the higher tax bracket will continue to pay not only for their own families but for those on high incomes taking into account dual income families. On this basis alone I will not vote for National or any other party in NZ. Instead of NZ we will look at returning to the Pacific and settle in Australia. Yours truly, Another disallusioned NZer.

#3 - Sarah Coursey 2008-07-28 17:07 - (Reply)

I too am very very dissapointed that the WFF will be unchanged, I think its a terribly unfair system. Personally I think its sucks money out of places where I would rather see it be spent, instead of propping up families to they can afford their holiday at the end of the year. What about us so called high income earning families, where is support for us while we pay our mortages and everything else at full price with not a subsidy in sight. I really do feel let down, I had such high hopes for National to provide some kind of stance on something so poorly dished out such as WFF. All I can hope for is some kind of tax relief which really isnt enough to keep our family here in NZ. It makes me sick to know my money is keeping some other family going while we are just surviving ourselves. Where is the incentive to get ahead in this country????

#4 - Jon 2008-07-29 13:00 - (Reply)

If you have done this to offer certainty then why not simply advise those NZ families they would recieve no less net income by Nationals lower taxes? National needs to grow a spine, otherwise my vote will be moving into more familiar territory for me

#5 - Ed 2008-07-29 16:37 - (Reply)

If only politics was so cut and dried. Unfortunately, due to the nanny state that has prevailed for so long, there is a large class of voters that thrive and live on handouts and the dole. No doubt there are those who truly need the helping hand, and we do not begrudge them. It is however the multi-generational dole takers as well as the families (often single parent) who have children to increase the quantity of handouts that we should be concerned about. The fact remains, that they can vote, and vote they will to keep their "entitlement" mentality. Until the rest of Kiwiland that have a work ethic finally put the foot down and shame these free-loaders, political expediency will have to rule in order to be in power, strangely enough, to effect positive change.

#6 - Mike Henderson 2008-07-30 12:56 - (Reply)

So I and many others worked our guts out seven days a week to generate a good income to provide for our families ... then had to watch after having done so others being given money to do so .. and hoping that come the change of Government our day would come... so tell me, how do you plan on effecting change for the sector that pays for all this without benefiting the sector who is the receiver ?? I`m looking very much forward to going out tonight in the rain in my part time working for other peoples families job that I need to do to maintain a decent standard of living .. oh and pay more tax to support those who don`t have to ...

#7 - Jeremy 2008-07-31 13:51 - (Reply)

I would like to see National concentrate on the key things goverments should provide the populus which in my opinion are; Education, Health, Law and Order and Transporation. Calculate the cost of this and tax us accordingly, lets get rid of the nanny state. The state is not reponsible for my family's income, I am. I want National to say to the Nation that they stand for the basics, Education, Health, Law and Order and Transporation. Then reduce the goverments tax take so that what I make I get to keep more of. Let me determine the best way to invest my income. Come on National be a party I can support.

#8 - David 2008-07-31 21:54 - (Reply)

I agree with the sentiment of the above comments, even though we are thinking about starting a family. My view is don't start a family until you can afford it, and sometimes 'affording it' means making sacrifices elsewhere. So be it, thats my or our choice. Overall, the WFF scheme is less of a worry to me in terms of tax take by the present administration than is the recent purchase of the railway infrastructure by Labour (and then more recently still the subsequent announcement of the need for millions of dollars of investment in the rolling stock and infrastructure - paid for by taxes collected no doubt). Also a big worry for me is the cost of further ongoing Treaty claims. I'd like to see what National's stance will be on these seemingly unending process that leads to settlements (that are then put up for review in a few years time) in the hundreds of millions.

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