A self-conducted survey by New Zealand First on the Tax Working Group report is raising questions over whether the party is attempting to get supporters on board with a capital gains tax (CGT).
The survey on New Zealand First's website asks 18 questions. Questions include whether respondents support a CGT, whether the current tax system is fair, and which aspects of the report they agree and disagree with.
- Capital gains tax: Could Winston Peters change his mind?
- Capital Gains Tax hard sell to public, harder sell to Winston Peters - Tova O'Brien
- Duncan Garner: Winston Peters could kill off capital gains tax
Six of the questions - a third of the survey - is made up of 'Did you know' or 'Are you aware' questions about what the survey describes as existing 'capital gains taxes'.
The three taxes, described as 'capital gains tax[es]', are the brightline test on the sale of houses, taxes on people who sell property regularly and tax on the gains on overseas investments.
"Are you aware the third [CGT] is the 'brightline' tax when a property is sold within 5 years for a gain? The gain is taxed as per the tax schedules as income,” one of the questions reads.
"Are you aware the 'brightline' test was strengthened by the previous National Government?" asks another question.
Both National Party and ACT Party leaders say New Zealand First is attempting to build the case for a capital gains tax.
"New Zealand first is clearly trying to soften its voters to prepare for the capital gains tax which is coming," National leader Simon Bridges told Newshub.
ACT leader David Seymour argues New Zealand First is attempting to take the wind out of attacks on the tax by arguing National strengthened the brightline test itself.
"Winston Peters figures he can undermine opposition to a full-blown tax by pointing out that National got the CGT ball rolling in New Zealand," Mr Seymour told Newshub.
Mr Seymour said National should not have introduced its own "baby" CGT if it is opposed to one.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters would not answer a question on the purpose of the 'are you aware' questions, saying: "You are not going to get a story or a hypothesis from me."
Mr Peters was similarly cagey when asked whether he would oppose a CGT if the survey found there was a lack of support from the New Zealand First base, saying: "We cross bridges when we get there, not beforehand."
When asked whether he is concerned about backlash from the base, Mr Peters said he has "been around long enough" not to worry about such things.
In the past, Mr Peters has opposed a CGT, saying it doesn't work.
Newshub.
