Labour seeks to shift costs

Press, 6 May 1980, Page 36

Labour seeks to shift costs

PA Wellington The Labour Party is looking at ways of shifting costs from the ratepayer to the taxpayer, according to Labour’s shadow Minister for Local Government (Dr Bassett) in a statement commenting on the Planning Council’s recent report, “Planning and the Regions.” : Dr Bassett said urban, transport, expensive sewerage extensions, and rubbish disposal were all regional functions likely to cost amounts that would overwhelm the ratepayer for the next 10 years if the Goverm.-.ent did not enter a genuine partnership with regional bodies. “Labour is seriously considering taking the burden of such costs off the ratepayer, thus shifting the financing of such undertakings on to the taxpayer,” he saidThis would result in lower rates, but a slight increase in income tax, he said. Precise’ details of the cost-sharing plans would be announced before the next election. Dr Bassett described the Planning Council report as a “timely think-piece” on the relationships between central and regional government.