4. Dr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH (National—Rodney) Link to this
to the Minister of Revenue
Is he satisfied that his working relationship with the Minister of Finance regarding tax policy is an open and constructive one?
Hon PETER DUNNE (Minister of Revenue) Link to this
Absolutely. The Minister of Finance and I have had an open, constructive working relationship and friendship for well over 20 years.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Is it evidence of a good working relationship when the Minister of Finance says that the increase in personal tax thresholds may not go ahead because: “We have to find answers to the fiscal hole left by the abolition of the carbon tax”, only for the Minister of Revenue to correct Dr Cullen, saying: “It is not a question of filling holes actually”, and, incidentally, who is correct?
We were talking about two entirely different things. I was talking about the state of the Budget as a whole, and I do not think a minor difference of that description is evidence of a bad working relationship. If it were, I would ask the member how he manages to sit next to Mr McCully, given their differences on foreign policy.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
When that Minister said recently on the business tax review that: “The business community should have confidence that the changes will be substantial.”, was he trying to correct an impression given by Dr Cullen’s earlier statement: “It may well be that we end up saying … this is just too big and bold and we want something much smaller and more modest,”?
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
With Dr Cullen telling the Finance and Expenditure Committee, and repeating it on the radio the next day, that the Budget personal tax changes may not go ahead, what guarantee can he give as Minister of Revenue that those personal tax rate threshold increases will go ahead on 1 April 2008?
That will depend on this House passing legislation to give effect to those changes. We are still working on that legislation.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Did he voice his support for a free-trade agreement with Taiwan last Thursday—something totally contrary to the Government’s one-China policy—to send a warning shot to his Labour partner that he does not appreciate being publicly usurped on tax policy by Dr Cullen?
Gordon CopelandI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. In view of what occurred earlier, I just wondered whether that came within the scope of the original question. That was all.
Madam SPEAKER
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Clearly the Minister of Revenue does not have responsibility for trade policy, and while he might even want to comment on it, he is proscribed from doing that by the Standing Orders.
No, I am sorry. Both were actually within the scope of the question, which is why I hesitated. That is why, if the Minister wishes to address the part of the question that relates to tax within his responsibility, that would be in order.