|
Labour MP Georgina Beyer says Wairarapa workers don't have to look very far to see how the government is spending their hard-earned tax dollars.
The Wairarapa MP says suggestions that Finance Minister Michael Cullen is a Scrooge, sitting on billions of dollars in government revenue, are about as real as the Tooth Fairy.
"There is no huge surplus waiting to be spent or given in tax cuts. This myth is being spread by those who think it might just fool people."
Georgina Beyer says the government is spending the revenue it receives on essentials for economic growth, innovation and the betterment of New Zealand, with a huge focus on infrastructure.
She said in the Wairarapa electorate, government revenue, including some tagged as 'surplus', was going into essential community projects including:
- A Crown capital contribution of $24.8m for the redevelopment of Masterton Hospital
- A share of the $200m Crown injection to upgrade the rail network
- New rail carriages start in service this year on the Wairarapa to Wellington line, after $10.6 million in direct government funding was added to $15.85 million from Transfund
- Funding of $4.12m will allow an earlier than scheduled start this year on replacing the Waiohine Bridge near Greytown
- The recent purchase of an adjoining site for redevelopment of the Masterton Police Station
- Nine schools in Wairarapa are receiving a total of $820,000 in funding to upgrade their school properties
- Around 6,000 people aged 65 and over living in Wairarapa can get cheaper doctor visits and $3 charges for many prescriptions
Georgina Beyer says some of the rest of the 'surplus' is going to ensure the security of superannuation and to pay off government debt.
"I believe most New Zealanders want to this sort of investment in their future. They know that those who promise big tax cuts funded from the 'surplus' could only fund these by cuts in essential spending."
|
|
|
