United Future holds conference

RADIO NEW ZEALAND: United Future has released its tax policy at its annual conference in Auckland on Saturday. The party says it wants the top tax rate lowered to 30%.

With just two MPs in Parliament, United Future wants to boost its numbers to five after this year's election.

The party wants income up to $12,000 taxed at 10%, and income between $12,000 and $38,000 taxed at 20%.

The party leader, Peter Dunne, says the policy goes further than the Government's tax cuts announced in last month's Budget.

He says the policy would cost $4.5 billion in a full year.

Mr Dunne says the policy is affordable, simple and fair, and combined with the party's plan to allow parents to split their income for tax purposes, it would deliver more money to families.

Mr Dunne says United Future wants to be seen as a bold party, with fresh ideas, and the ability to reach across the political divide.

He says the party has worked with both National and Labour in the past and insists it could work with either National or Labour after this year's election.

But Mr Dunne says he has been working with National over the past couple of months, and would not have a problem working with them after the election.

In his address on Saturday morning, Mr Dunne also called for a referendum on the future of MMP and the future of the Maori seats in 2010.

He also says it is time to consider a national health insurance scheme for New Zealand, to break what he says is an elective surgery log-jam.

He says Saturday's conference aimed to put forward the party's key issues, so voters can take a fresh look at United Future. About 80 people attended the conference.