Green Party reminds voters: We were first

Green co-leader Russel Norman. File photo / Mark Mitchell

The Green Party is reminding voters it has pushed for a capital gains tax since 2003.

The party is sending out many press statements and video links on the subject.

Yesterday, Green co-leader Russel Norman issued another statement on capital gains tax, saying it was a critical component of rebalancing the economy that no amount of tinkering by Finance Minister Bill English would fix. It would help shift investment out of property speculation into the productive sector.

Labour MPs are confident the tax policy to be released next week will be a game-changer. Former Labour finance minister Michael Cullen was a staunch opponent of a capital gains tax.

Green co-leader Metiria Turei said a capital gains tax would restore the right incentives for investment in the economy. That was why the OECD, Treasury, the IMF and the Savings Working Group supported such a tax.

- Otago Daily Times