Voters this week have a clear choice between Labour’s optimism and honesty, or rewarding National’s campaign of relentless lies, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson.

“Day after day National has been deliberately spreading lies about Labour, our intentions and what we will do in Government. New Zealanders deserve better than this.

Labour is committed to a tax system where everyone pays their fair share and where we start to address the imbalances that have fuelled the housing crisis, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson and Labour’s Revenue spokesperson Michael Wood.

"Today Labour has released its full tax plan, bringing together a number of previous announcements and more detail on the Tax Working Group. Given the amount of misinformation being spread, it is important that we have all the information in one place.

It is time for Bill English and Steven Joyce to stop the scaremongering and lies, and front up to New Zealanders about the impact of their tax cuts, Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson says.

“Bill English has no credibility on tax issues. He was the Finance Minister in a Government that increased GST after specifically ruling that out in the election campaign.

Steven Joyce needs to front up to New Zealanders and tell them whether he will fund health and education to meet increasing cost pressures, or risk seeing services cut and costs increase for parents, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. 

"New Zealanders need to know if National will fund essential public services to at least keep up with inflation and an increasing and ageing population.

Steven Joyce needs to front up to New Zealanders and apologise for his patently false and cynical attack on Labour’s Fiscal Plan, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson.

“Every respected economic commentator has come out and said that Labour’s Fiscal Plan adds up.

Labour’s Fiscal Plan is robust, the numbers are correct and we stand by them despite the desperate and disingenuous digging from an out-the-door Finance Minister, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson.

“Steven Joyce has embarrassed himself. This is a desperate, cynical stunt to create a diversion. Our plan has been approved by BERL and they continue to stand by this plan. We stand by this plan. These numbers are robust and I refute Joyce’s allegations.

Bill English's claim that productivity has grown pretty well in New Zealand is wrong, and flies in the face of evidence from his own Government and the view of most commentators, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson.

“New Zealand has seen no growth in labour productivity in the last four years. In fact we are going backwards, with Treasury seeing 0.03 per cent drop over the past four years. As Bernard Doyle from JB Were has said, ‘New Zealand is in a productivity recession’.

The National Party needs to front up to New Zealanders and show them where the money is coming from for the billions of dollars of election promises that they are making, says Grant Robertson Labour Finance Spokesperson.

"Labour has released its full Fiscal Plan outlining our commitments and how they will be paid for. It has been independently assessed by the economic research agency BERL. This transparency is important to show Kiwis we can follow through on what we promise.

Labour’s Fiscal Plan, updated following last week’s pre-election opening of the Government’s books, shows Labour will deliver a significant investment in core public services while responsibly managing the country’s finances, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson.

“Labour will invest in better education, affordable housing, greater access to health services and lifting children out of poverty, and we’ll do so without increasing income tax.

The Labour Party has reaffirmed its commitment to New Zealand’s rainbow community with its 2017 Rainbow policy, featuring the goal to end HIV in New Zealand by 2025.

Grant Robertson says Labour continues a long and proud tradition of advocating for rainbow issues.