Chris Hipkins must tell New Zealanders how many of the Green Party's new taxes he is willing to adopt to keep his promise to form government by Christmas, National's Finance spokesperson Nicola Willis says.
"The choice at this election is clear - sticking with National's plan which is delivering a growing economy, less debt, more jobs and higher wages.
"Or a Labour-Greens coalition, which would put that at risk with nine new taxes, including a capital gains tax, an inheritance tax, a land tax and a new 45 per cent top tax rate. That's more tax on what you earn, what you own and what you leave your family.
"Chris Hipkins can't form a government without the Greens. With the Greens polling at around half Labour's size, the only way he gets a deal done by Christmas is by making serious concessions to Chloe Swarbrick on her spending plans, new taxes and demand to be Finance Minister.
"The Green Party is openly campaigning on at least nine new taxes to pay for $49 billion in additional spending.
"Chris Hipkins himself has $18 billion of unfunded promises he has to find the money for. That means more taxes and more borrowing, which is exactly what the Greens are offering.
"Ultimately, more taxes and more borrowing means more inflation and higher mortgage rates, and less money for you and your family.
"Labour has a track record of spending more than it promised at each election. Every one of Labour's Budgets from 2018 to 2023 blew out, which saw government debt triple. Give Labour the chance and it would happen again.
"Labour can't be trusted on tax. In 2020, Labour ruled out introducing a Ute Tax, extending the brightline test and removing interest deductibility on rentals, but once in government it did all three. Chris Hipkins ruled out a capital gains tax last election, and he's campaigning on one.
"National's plan is working. We have cut wasteful spending and are getting the books back in shape. That has taken pressure off inflation and interest rates and allowed us to deliver income tax cuts, so hardworking Kiwis keep more of what they earn.
"That progress has been hard-earned by Kiwis, backed by the National Government's disciplined economic management. A Labour coalition with Chloe Swarbrick as Finance Minister would spend recklessly, borrow more and tax more - and undo all the progress.
"Early voting is now open. New Zealanders have worked too hard to get the economy moving again to put it all at risk. A party vote for National is a vote to keep these taxes off the table. Stick with the plan that's working."
