David Seymour –
The election of Donald Trump (as the 45th President of the United States of America) is just the latest example of overseas unrest and uncertainty.
This is only the beginning of people seeking to come here for a safe-haven from uncertainty, and a more secure future for their family.
This is supported by the latest immigration figures – we have had net migration of 70,000 last year alone. That’s equal to the population of New Plymouth.
New Zealand is a popular destination because we are a fundamentally successful society. But where does this success come from?
Attractive destination
ACT’s position has been consistent since the party formed in 1994: we ae successful because we’re free.
Our economy is relatively unrestricted and the government doesn’t interfere in our personal lives or careers in the same way governments overseas do.
Our tax system is simple, we don’t block hard-working migrants, and we welcome trade with other nations.
In fact, our “free markets and free people” led to us being ranked first in the world for prosperity by the Legatum Institute earlier this month.
But ACT believes being first in the world isn’t good enough. We need more effective policy to achieve an economy in which every person can pursue their dreams.
Cutting taxes
First, we would cut income taxes and business taxes. When people have more money left in their pocket, they spend more in their communities on products and services they value. Likewise, when businesses have lower taxes, they can grow faster and employ new workers.
Businesses pay 28% in company tax – that’s higher than most developed countries, which means some businesses choose not to operate from New Zealand. We need to do better.
Meanwhile, individual workers start paying 30% in tax when they earn over $48,000 a year. It becomes 33% when you earn $70,000. ACT doesn’t think people earning this much money are rich. They’re just hard workers who deserve a tax cut.
We will announce our full tax plan before the election, but here’s the key fact: we can achieve tax cuts without reducing spending on education, health, or police. ACT would instead cut waste and end handouts to corporations.
Clipping bad laws
Secondly, we would cut bad laws. Every other party wants to introduce countless new regulations. ACT is the only party saying we need a few less. Over-complicated laws written by bureaucrats with no real-world experience have turned running a business into an expensive headache, and stopped us from building enough houses to fit our new immigrants.
ACT would slash these regulations and stop the government from trying to run people’s lives and businesses for them. Politicians need to instead focus on getting the basics right.
Reducing crime
Speaking of the basics: we need to reduce crime. Protecting people’s property and safety from criminals is the single most important job of government. Too many homes are getting burgled, too many businesses are getting robbed, and too many of the criminals aren’t put in jail.
ACT would get tough on burglars with a Three Strikes for Burglary policy – it means someone caught on their third burglary would spend three years in jail, automatically. We convinced the Government to adopt a similar policy for violent crime in 2010, and it’s worked to reduce reoffending.
But to achieve all this, we need to work hard.
I will spend next year speaking to communities across the country, letting everyone know that only a party vote for ACT will achieve a government that taxes less, interferes less, and focuses on the basics of protecting you and your business.
I also hope to communicate with you regularly through Indian Newslink, explaining our policies and programmes and why ACT is important for your freedom and progress.
I take this opportunity to wish this publication well on its 17th Anniversary.
I hope I get to meet you. And if you would like to speak to me, please email at david.seymour@parliament.govt.nz
David Seymour is Leader of ACT Party in Parliament and Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Education Minister and Regulatory Reforms Minister.
