John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

It was represented that the Minister for Finance is taxing cars off the roads. The contrary is the case, however, because increasing numbers of cars are appearing on our roads, which gives rise to many attendant difficulties.

I wish to refer to the Minister's contribution in the Lower House, particularly in respect of income tax. When the Government came to power, it gave a commitment that it would not increase personal rates of taxation and that the huge achievements made prior to its entering office would be maintained. The Minister stated:

Some may think that they can reduce unemployment by high tax-and-spend policies. However, any such reduction would only be temporary and would in any case be reversed as tax increases damage our competitiveness. We, on the other hand, have got unemployment down and kept it at low levels by keeping tax rates low.