# 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.
- Title: Bed taxes, cheaper groceries and fast-track tensions in…
- Summary: Labour, Greens and Opportunity propose bed tax for Queenstown amid fast-track housing and supermarket duopoly debates. Labour, Greens and Opportunity support…
- Keywords: queenstown, bed tax, fast-track housing, supermarket duopoly, asb great debate, labour, greens, opportunity, national, chloe swarbrick, david seymour, shane jones
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/bed-taxes-cheaper-groceries-and-fast-track-tensions-on-display-in-queenstown-finance-debate/JUSYCNPHHFHDTELBDLDPO5HOEQ
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: queenstown, bed tax, fast-track housing, supermarket duopoly, asb great debate, labour, greens, opportunity, national, chloe swarbrick, david seymour, shane jones
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Labour, Greens and Opportunity support a bed tax for Queenstown, while National opposes it, with tensions over fast-track housing and supermarket duopolies.