The leaked document had been read out. Members of the government had all raped hugged each other in congratulation. The opposition had pulled the document to pieces. It was all over bar the shouting…
… and then the government put the House into urgency to add another 3.5 cents tax to the cost of fuel.
The Government has passed under urgency a law implementing the second of three annual increases in fuel tax – adding another 3.5 cents per litre to the cost.
The increase kicks in on July 1, the same day as road user charges also increase.
The increase comes at a time when petrol prices at the pump are creeping up.
As at yesterday, a litre of 91 octane was an average of $2.28 according to AA Petrolwatch, while 95 octane was $2.37 and diesel was at $1.68.
What a slap in the face for hard working New Zealanders. Having just handed billions to those who do nothing for a living, including index linking welfare benefits to wage growth, the government then immediately increased taxes on those that pay their way.
National’s transport spokesman Paul Goldsmith said the fuel taxes placed a huge burden on families.
“Prices at the pump are at some of the highest we’ve seen in years. The extra fuel taxes swamp any benefit to be gained from the potential handouts of the Budget. This Government gives with one hand and takes more with the other,” he said in a statement.
There was absolutely nothing in the budget for hard working Kiwis. Everything went to people who bludge off the state. To pay for it (at least to start paying for it), fuel taxes have gone up again.
Crude oil is relatively cheap at the moment, thanks mainly to the US under Donald Trump pumping out a lot more fuel than previously. Yet, fuel prices here have never been higher… and most of it is tax of one sort or another.
Automobile Association spokesman Mark Stockdale said motorists did not like seeing higher fuel prices.
“Last year’s increase came at the worst possible time when fuel prices were at record highs, and then we had a tax increase at the same time and that was not popular,” he said.
“This won’t be popular either, but it’s not uncommon. We’ve have regular tax increases virtually every year to go towards funding our land transport system.”
Road user charges are increasing as well. Once again, we will see an increase in the price of everything, as trucking companies pay the price of higher fuel and RUC costs.
If we were seeing an improvement in the roads, maybe it would be understandable, but this government is hellbent on building rail and cycle tracks and driving as many people off the roads as possible. It is simply unsustainable.
The country’s roading infrastructure had failed to keep up with a growing economy and greater number of road users, he said.
“There has to be a big picture view here. Road users and the New Zealand public can’t just keep paying more for everything and getting little in return,” [Nick] Leggett said.
Newstalk ZB.
You think so? With this government? Of course, we can just keep paying more for everything and get nothing in return. Did you not hear about the Wellbeing budget? That is a classic case of anyone with money being forced to pay more for everything so that those who can’t be bothered to do anything get more.
My son once asked me why there were no circuses any more. I told him the truth. The circuses have gone because all the clowns went into politics. And here we are.
