Parents’ Choice supports United Future’s Families Policy

Parents Choice’08, today announced that it would be drawing the attention of its supporters to United Future’s policy of supporting Income Splitting for tax purposes.
Parents Choice Chairman, Roger Ellis, said “We have been in discussions with several political parties to see which ones were most supportive of parents at home”.
“We recognise that there are aspects of most parties policies that will help parents raise their children as responsible and confident adults. However, United Future has a comprehensive policy programme centred on parenting and raising children. For Parents Choice Income Splitting is a key enabler for parents who deserve recognition for the time they spend investing in the next generation” said Mr Ellis.
Today we are announcing that in our view United Future’s support for parents makes it worthy of serious consideration by voters. We commend such policies as:
• Income Splitting – to recognise the work done by at home parents
• More support for children with disabilities through a Caregivers Allowance.
• Income tax reductions - A simplified personal tax system (10% on income up to $12,000; 20% on income between $12,000 and $38,000; and 30% on income above $38,000.)
• Character education programmes in schools and
• One-stop shop family service centres for parents and children.
We hope that United Future will make the introduction of optional Income Splitting a bottom line in any post-election discussions.
We urge our supporters to consider which parties will best give recognition to parenting as a priority and to vote accordingly.

New Zealand needs stronger economy

With so many kiwi families leaving for Australia and so many students doing their OE but not coming back home we have to ask what can be done to bring kiwis home in the long term.

Most parents recognise the value of local community sports and cultural groups. The value of New Zealand’s empty beaches and unspoilt bush walks is appreciated by many families. It’s true that there is more to life than the size of the pay packet. However, if we are to create an environment that remains attractive to our children’s generation then we need to ensure that New Zealand remains competitive in terms of income levels and job opportunities.

A recent study by the NZ Institute’s Dr David Skilling compared our income levels with those of Australia. New Zealand's per capita income was $40,021 per annum. Per capita incomes in Queensland ($54,317) and New South Wales ($55,805), are now significantly higher. Western Australia ($58,688), another popular destination for departing NZers is even further ahead. And the mineral boom in the Northern Territory ($78,527) has lifted the per capita to nearly double the New Zealand figure. Even Australia's poorest state, Tasmania ($49,056) now enjoys a lead over this country.

Extensive tax reform is now long overdue in New Zealand. Most New Zealand families would prefer to spend their own money rather than have the government spend it on their behalf. For parents Income Splitting would be a helpful step along the way to giving us more of a choice. In the absence of Income Splitting lower tax rates would be a step in the right direction. Labour has already announced tax cuts in the recent Budget. Commentators now await National’s tax plan (expected in September). United Future remains the only political party to commit to income splitting as well as tax cuts more generally. Tax cuts and higher productivity have been linked to higher economic growth rates. Without higher rates of economic growth our economy will not be able to provide a higher living standard for all New Zealanders. Without attractive job opportunities we will find it difficult to persuade kiwis to move back home.

Support growing for Income Splitting

We have received a tremendous response to our campaign for parenting to be given greater recognition by government. Supporters from across New Zealand - Northland, Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and the South island have emailed to indicate their support for Parents Choice and to wish us well with the campaign.

We have been asked many questions several times so I thought it would be helpful to cover off a few of them here.

We are not tied to any political party - we are independent. We hope to persuade a range of parties to support Income Splitting at the next election. At the moment only one parliamentary party has indicated its support for Income Splitting and that is United Future. We will be approaching representatives of the other political parties to ask them for their views and to see if they will consider Income Splitting as part of their election year platform.

Supporters have also asked how they can help. Apart from emailing us at parentschoice08@gmail.com and letting us know you support the campaign the next thing to do would be to write to the Minister of Revenue, Hon Peter Dunne MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington to let him know you support Income Splitting and want to see progress this year.

Other actions that could be taken are to right to your local MP or your local paper, or promote Parents Choice among other parents. We are also considering launching a petition. If you would be keen to help collect signatures then please let us know and we will be in touch.

Income Splitting - An Idea Whose Time Has Come

During the last two weeks Parents Choice has received a significant number of emails and comments from people supporting income splitting and from news media interested in the campaign. The tide is coming in and support is rising for income splitting.

In the past 14 days alone various media including "Norwester", "Challenge Weekly", "Shine TV", "Scoop", and overseas websites have all published articles and news reports about the Parents Choice campaign for income splitting. We have had expressions of support from Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Waikenae, Lower Hutt, Wellington, and Christchurch. It has been amazing to see the widespread interest in a policy change that will show New Zealand values families and the investment of time and effort in raising children.

Please pass on the contact details to friends and relatives who might be interested in indicating their support for income splitting. We need the campaign to continue to gather momentum during March so that by the time the Government's Discussion Paper is relased there is already a strong movement for change. Email parentschoice08@gmail.com and show your support today. United Future has already pledged its support for Income Splitting. We believe that over the next few months National, Labour and other parties will also see the need to signal their support for the hundreds of thousands of full time parents who are busy investing in the next generation.