Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday.
“I’m calling on all political parties to support my bill to remove GST from kai,” said bill sponsor and Te Pāti Māori co-leader, Rawiri Waititi.
“It shouldn’t matter where you sit on the political spectrum. Removing GST from kai should be a no brainer for any party who is serious about supporting whānau during a cost of living crisis.
“Food is a right and a necessity that shouldn’t be taxed. We know that GST hits lower income whānau the hardest.
“We should not be relying on people who are struggling to feed their tamariki to prop up our tax system.
“On some kaupapa, parties must put the rubbish politicking aside and come to a mutual agreement for the wellbeing of our mokopuna.
“I would think the removal of GST from food is one of those kaupapa. It will give some real relief to the pockets of whānau and should be one of those instances where all political parties see eye-to-eye.
“The coalition said they’d do something to address the cost of living. This bill is an opportunity for them to have a positive impact after a terrible start to their governing term.
“Removing GST from kai is only one of the changes needed to rebalance our tax system and ease the burden on whānau. It is a change that can be made over night that will have an immediate impact,” Waititi said.
The letter was sent to all party leaders today requesting them and their parties to support the bill.
As the supporters of the current government are aware of the cost of losing the simple GST system we have I doubt if there will be much support for this move .
Do you support it, Trevor?
Have been self employed for a number of years I know how easy our system is compared to the cost my son incurs in Australia . Every receipt has to be kept and itemized by the accountant to pull out the gst free items .
You may not want to answer my
question and seem avoid that by talking about an aspect of gst, comparing NZ and Australia. Still leaves me wondering whether you as a New Zealander who volunteers in a social setting (?), support the idea of taking gst off food. It would help many who are struggling.
I support it wholeheartedly and have signed the petition.
I support it GST should never have been put on food in the first place. Better to ditch gst all together and bring in a ftt tax on everything done by eftpos or bank transfer.