Maori Party MP Hone Harawira calls the expected rise in GST an attack on the poor. Of course, Hone and friends had no worries increasing tobacco tax on the very same bloc not so many weeks ago. The excise tax increase on a 50 gram pouch of tobacco was more than the anticipated extra GST on over $400 of goods and services.
The rich can get duty free tobacco on their way back from Paris or Brussels, or claim back GST under their company dodge. The poor pay above and beyond the full retail price. Methinks the brown clown speaks with forked tongue.
