David Cunliffe

More evidence of Kiwi's distrust of National's plans to hike GST have been unearthed in the latest Westpac consumer confidence survey, Labour's Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe said today.

"The survey found 56 per cent of Kiwis believe they would be no better or worse off under John Key's GST and tax plan, and they're right," David Cunliffe said.

"33 per cent thought they'd be better off. Most of them were from higher socio-economic groups, and some of them may be right. "John Key's plans to hike GST will benefit very high income earners and offer nothing to middle and low income Kiwis. How can that be fair? "Unemployment is running at a 16 year high, Kiwis are struggling to pay the bills, consumer confidence is on the decline and all John Key's Government can do for Kiwis is to lift GST and cut taxes for very high income earners. "Kiwis struggling to find jobs and to pay bills are struggling to see how National's plan will ease the pain that is still being felt from the economic downturn.

"So why is their Government asking them to pay more for their bread, milk and petrol? Why is the Government not going to give them a helping hand with their plans for GST?

"National said it wanted to achieve a step change in economic performance to draw level with Australia. Instead they are tinkering with GST while Kiwis suffer and toil. National is not addressing the major issues which will stimulate the economy and help Kiwis better meet their needs.

"Bill English and John Key are so obsessed with staying popular that they're failing to take action to help struggling Kiwis.

"The Government needs to show leadership for the 168,000 Kiwis now unemployed.

"Kiwis have been suffering from the lack of Government action, or tinkering that will not make them any better off.

"The Government needs a plan to get New Zealanders back in to jobs and to put confidence back into our economy," David Cunliffe said.