Yesterday the big red Axe the Tax bus was in Wellington. I joined the crew in Timberlea, Upper Hutt where we handed out red balloons to the kids and were warmly received by the parents too. Later in the afternoon the bus was parked outside parliament where quite a few people stopped to chat on their way to the Phoenix game.
This week the bus hit’s the mainland. I’ll be on board from Tuesday to Thursday. The Axe the Tax campaign is online too, here’s a quick summary of where to find everything:
- The basic itinerary is up at http://labour.org.nz/axethetax
- We’ve mapped the detailed bus route and times on Google maps - South Island
- We’re tweeting and posting pics at: http://twitter.com/nzlabour (or search for the hashtag: #axethetax)
- You can follow our progress on Facebook: http://facebook.com/axethetax
- You can see regularly updated photos from the road on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/nzlabour
Shameless hijacking of thread here sorry Chris.
Whaling. Please – Whaling,…bash the buggers – draw Key into it…Whaling!!
Yee haa!
Yay for the bus! 
Ditto the whaling
I don’t suppose you also have access to Anne Tolley’s itiniary? I can’t find it anywhere and I know that kiwis are keen to talk to her about National Standards.
Good work BTW.
I still find it ridiculous that you have this big “axe the tax” campaign but wont commit to undoing it yourselves. Kind of makes it somewhat superficial and false.
Biker – are you seriously saying Labour should write the 2012 Budget before the 2010 and 2011 ones have been written? the 2010 Budget is the one we’re trying to influence, by saying we don’t want to see GST increase to 15%.
Bikerkiwi I agree – undermines their credibility somewhat. If they can’t promise that they will “unscramble the egg” (Phil Goff) then perhaps their time would be better spent doing something else like I don’t know, not just rejecting Garrett’s ridiculous proposal, but coming up with a real solution the government can work with.
Agree with Bikerkiwi and Rebecca. You know NACT won’t axe the tax, you will not pledge to do so once back in power (reducing a 15% GST back to 12.5% – or lower – is not all that tricky – certainly not of the unscrambling the egg sort).
Skip Garrett – even NACT is embarrassed about him.
Say something about whaling, where Mr Key has cravenly capitulated!
Chris – Labour are making such a song and dance about GST increase that Labour should definitely say whether or not they will retain the tax. I suggest that Labour will never get rid of the GST increase and that your taxpayer funded $30,000 roadshow is a feeble attempt to generate some support.
Like Biker and Rebecca above I agree there is a serious credibility issue for Labour if you do not declare your hand on axe it or retain it.
Isn’t it obvious? If Labour were suddenly transported into power now, they certainly wouldn’t be taxing the poor to provide more for the rich man’s feast.
Chris, I am confused. Labour is against the tax reshuffle, BUT you will not state that if you regain power that you will reverse it once it becomes operative and thus will accept it. If that is the case then by any lack of potential action you will support this?
So the bus trip is just Lab acting as a lobbying group, but will not support their beliefs with actions. Does that not qustion what your beliefs are. As actions are louder than words !!
Herodotus… you are perpetually confused.
Labour would be munters to annouce their tax plan now.
I know they’ll do the right thing by NZ!
Go Labour
All that is happening is a game that we the public suffer. Either you are for or against something and this is confirmed by any action. Otherwise how can we interpert TRUE belief.
This GST tax swap for lower paye rates for some is a giant con.
Its clear the GST income will keep rising over the next 5 years
while the effect of the tax cuts will be falling over the next five years because of higher incomes (usually but under National they will likely stagnate )
Deleted abusive Trevor
Off thread again Final warning Trevor
What is the underlying purpose of the “axe the tax” bus?
Given that Labour knows that they wont be effective is there a better way to spend their time and taxpayer money by.. I don’t know.. coming up with policy or something?
Labour just looks dumb by not saying anything on what they will do with GST.
“I don’t know.. coming up with policy or something?” Yeah, those poor Nats need all the help they can get.
@ mickysavage
try you don’t need to go to the back of the bus ann link. I’m pretty sure its on there somewhere.