With the cost of living soaring, many Kiwi families are struggling to afford healthy food. Countries like Canada and the UK don’t tax basic groceries, and it’s time New Zealand followed suit. Removing GST—or offering a rebate—on meat and vegetables would ease financial pressure, improve access to nutrition, and support better long-term health for all New Zealanders. Let’s push for tax policy that puts people’s wellbeing first. Sign the petition and help make real change happen.

  • Ilovethebomb@lemmy.nz
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    6 days ago

    We also have no true capital gains tax. Without this, GST is practically the only way we get tax from the ultra wealthy, right?

    The solution here is for our politicians to collectively grow a pair and pass a capital gains tax, possibly a wealth tax as well.

    I’ve heard a few similar arguments, that go along the lines of X is the next best thing to a capital gains tax, and my response every time is… Why not just enact the tax then?

    Honestly, it’s embarrassing.

    • JasSmith@sh.itjust.works
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      6 days ago

      No, land value tax. CGT hits all investments like start ups and enterprise. We want more of that, not less. Investment in land, on the other hand, is strangling the nation. Economically and socially. Land can’t be offshored or hidden in the Seychelles. Tax the shit out of land and watch house prices and rent tumble. It also encourages efficient use of land, meaning we see higher density housing close to industrial hubs. This means more affordable and more efficient public transport, and more people able to live closer to work.

        • JasSmith@sh.itjust.works
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          6 days ago

          I am dismayed how they continue to poll. Most of their policies seem so common sense. I guess what rules NZ politics now is “will they make my house price go up?”

          • Ilovethebomb@lemmy.nz
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            5 days ago

            TOP just don’t seem to know how to sell their ideas to the public.

            Also, people vote for ideas and personalities, not policy. Policy is boring and almost nobody reads it.

            • absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz
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              5 days ago

              This is true; you have to be able to tell a good story.

              It helps if the story teller is charming…but as ACT shows it is not a requirement.

              One of TOP’s problems is it seems like the party of the highly educated. But their policies are helpful for everyone…they have a communication problem, not a policy problem.

          • absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz
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            5 days ago

            Evidence based policy, as a core principal… Got me very interested., so I vote finds them.

            It took the greens a few elections to get in… TOP will get there.

    • Dave@lemmy.nzM
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      6 days ago

      Yes, very good point. “GST is the only way we tax the wealthy” was a very poor argument for keeping GST on my part.

      • absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz
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        6 days ago

        Keeping an open mind is important.

        I like hearing ideas that challenge my views.

        Keep learning 👍