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EPMU slams Budget

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Thu, 19 May 2011 3:39p.m.

Andrew Little

Andrew Little

The EPMU says today's Budget will place a further financial burden on middle and lower income earners, and working families will be "sorely disappointed".

"This Budget was a chance for this government to show it understands the very real pressure working people are under," says national secretary Andrew Little.

"They could have offered some help and hope in tough times."

Mr Little says the Government's refusal to reverse its tax cuts is costing the country $14 billion it can't afford.

"Cuts to public sector jobs and privatisation of publicly owned assets are more attempts to backfill a problem of its own making.

"KiwiSaver, Working for Families and interest-free student loans cost almost $5 billion a year. The Government’s package of tax cuts, mainly benefiting those on higher incomes, has given away approximately the same amount."

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20 May 2011 07:48a.m.

John Kerr wrote:

Well said Andrew Little (who is still the National Secretary of the EPMU & no longer President of the Labour Party Jabba, he is also Labour candidate for New Plymouth, -do keep up).

The Tories don't have a plan - it's just the same old tired 1930's policies of 'cut public spending and hope'. Meanwhile the economy suffers the double hit of high unemployment (having to borrow to pay benefits & not getting any taxes from those out of work), not to mention the human and social cost.

And to offset the pain, wages are going up 4% next year for those in work according to Key & English - not since the Nat's dismantled the Award system they aren't. If you're a unionised worker in collective bargaining you may get a 4% increase but you'll have to fight for it. As for the rest, are the Tories sayig they'll put up the minimum wage by 4% for those dependent on this disgracefully low rate? And for the 90% of workers in the private sector who aren't in a union and aren't covered by a collective agreement - where's their 4% coming from - generous employers? Yeah right.

19 May 2011 07:14p.m.

Mike wrote:

The tax cuts didn't cost NZ $14 bil, but according to Labour they would spend more, and the deficit would magically disappear in a puff of smoke.

A high income earner already pays 43% if they spend all their income which is quite high enough. According to Labour your not rich till your paying over $1500 tax PA like the low income Dairy Farmers last year. What they mean is they are complete butt wipes who would want to tax all working NZ'rs to extinction!

Labour set the benchmark for 'rich' just this week with Stuart Nask. Low Income Dairy Farmers are rich, and paying around $1500 tax was evidence of their excessive incomes, so if you pay more than this, expect Labour to target you to pay more tax! so this is Phil finally getting around to some Labour policy? It is something to be flushed.

19 May 2011 05:27p.m.

jabba wrote:

Andrew Little resigned from his EMPU position (or did he?) so why is he involved. He is the Labour Party President and candidate for New Plymouth??

19 May 2011 03:48p.m.

Wolfman wrote:

Surprise surprise, Labours new leader is unhappy, under the disguise as a Union Man.