From NZ Herald · · 2m
Bed taxes, cheaper groceries and fast-track tensions in Queenstown debate
Labour, Greens and Opportunity propose bed tax for Queenstown amid fast-track housing and supermarket duopoly debates.
In brief
Labour, Greens and Opportunity propose bed tax for Queenstown amid fast-track housing and supermarket duopoly debates. Labour, Greens and Opportunity support a bed tax for Queenstown, while National opposes it, with tensions over fast-track housing and supermarket duopolies. Originally reported by NZ Herald.
Queenstown bed tax debate
Labour, Greens and Opportunity support a bed tax for Queenstown in the ASB Great Debate.
“Yes, because this debate has become so tedious”
National opposes bed tax
National leader Christopher Luxon initially supported a bed tax but later scrapped it due to campaign slogan of no new taxes.
Bed tax implementation timeline
Act’s David Seymour says a bed tax would take two years to implement and push prices up for all visitors.
Fast-track housing debate
National’s Nicola Willis defended fast-track housing projects, sparking loud boos from the audience.
“Who’s responsible for that?”
Bendigo, Ophir Gold Project
Shane Jones toured the Bendigo, Ophir Gold Project site in Central Otago, finding no lizards but hundreds of rabbits.
Supermarket duopoly debate
National wants Commerce Commission to break up supermarket duopoly to save consumers hundreds of dollars annually.
Labour’s grocery policy
Labour’s policy to break up supermarket duopoly would help smaller players access better prices and ban price gouging.
Kiwimart proposal
Greens propose Kiwimart with 15% market share to create more competitive grocery industry.
Seymour’s warning
Act’s David Seymour warned that breaking up one industry could lead to banking and energy sector issues.
“The whole thing’s nuts. It doesn’t stack up.”
Jones’ fast-track support
Shane Jones said fast-track approval of Bendigo, Ophir Gold Project would bring high-paying jobs to Central Otago.
“It would bring high-paying jobs to the area”
Swarbrick’s environmental stance
Chlöe Swarbrick said a thriving economy and environmental protections aren’t mutually exclusive.
Opportunity’s stance
Opportunity’s Qiulae Wong supported breaking up supermarket duopoly if Commerce Commission recommended it.
Labour’s policy details
Labour’s policy to break up supermarket duopoly would empower Commerce Commission and ban price gouging.
National’s position
National’s Nicola Willis said proposed changes to supermarket duopoly would save consumers hundreds of dollars annually.
Seymour’s opposition
Act’s David Seymour opposed breaking up supermarket duopoly, saying it would create a slippery slope into banking and energy sectors.
“The whole thing’s nuts. It doesn’t stack up.”
Next steps
The fast-track panel decision on Bendigo, Ophir Gold Project is expected after the election.
The headline
Labour, Greens and Opportunity support a bed tax for Queenstown, while National opposes it, with tensions over fast-track housing and supermarket duopolies.
