Labour’s $8k per household budget hole shows why Independent Budget Responsibility Office overdue The Taxpayers’ Union says National’s claimed $18.2 billion gap between the Labour Party's promised spending and revenue measures highlights exactly why New Zealand needs an Independent Office of Budget Responsibility to independently verify the costings of election promises. Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says: “If National is right, Labour’s spending promises leave taxpayers exposed to a funding gap of $8,800 for every Kiwi household.” “But the bigger issue is that voters are expected to take politicians’ competing claims on trust. One side says the numbers don’t add up. The other side insists they do. For the average voter, it’s impossible to know who’s telling the truth.” According to National’s analysis, Labour’s announced spending commitments total more than $21 billion over the forecast period, while its identified revenue measures raise only $2.8 billion, leaving a shortfall of $18.2 billion. “Whether the true figure is $18.2 billion, more, or less isn’t really the point. New Zealanders deserve independent verification rather than partisan arithmetic.” Williams says recent questions surrounding Labour’s public transport fare cap policy demonstrate the problem. “Given the clear errors in Labour’s costings of its public transport policy released on Wednesday, things have to change. Labour claimed 1.36 million New Zealanders would benefit by an average of $1,200 per year, yet simultaneously claimed the policy would cost only around $65 million annually. Those numbers simply don’t reconcile.” “A properly resourced Independent Office of Budget Responsibility would lend credibility, rigour, and expertise to opposition policy development. It would also provide voters with confidence that the promises being made during election campaigns have actually been checked.” The Taxpayers’ Union has long advocated for an independent parliamentary budget office modelled on institutions operating successfully overseas. “This is not a left-versus-right issue. The public should be able to trust the numbers regardless of which party is making the promises.” “The Taxpayers’ Union has been calling for an Independent Office of Budget Responsibility since we launched our pre-election ‘Bribe-O-Meter’ in 2014. More than a decade later, we’re still relying on political parties marking each other’s homework.” “Helen Clark and Ruth Richardson found common ground this week in supporting stronger institutions to improve democratic accountability. An Independent Office of Budget Responsibility would be a practical reform that improves transparency, lifts the quality of public debate, and helps voters make informed choices.” “If Labour’s numbers stack up, independent scrutiny would prove it. If National’s criticism is justified, independent scrutiny would expose it. Either way, New Zealand voters, and taxpayers, win.” ENDS

Hi all - Really disappointed to learn that our stickers were placed around Fieldays lavatories. We really wish people wouldn’t do this. Please report sightings to us and we’ll endeavour to find the culprit(s). Thank you for your attention to this matter.

See you at Fieldays tomorrow? Last day! #savethefamilyfarm