David Parker believes it was “untenable” for him to continue as Revenue Minister less than two weeks after Prime Minister Chris Hipkins ruled out introducing a wealth tax or capital gains tax under his leadership.
Parker, one of the chief architects of Labour’s tax proposals, has publicly expressed his disappointment following Hipkins’ decision not to progress work on a potential wealth tax and CGT as part of a tax switch in Budget 2023.
Alongside announcing who would be taking over Kiri Allan’s portfolios, Hipkins also revealed Parker had requested to conclude his time as Revenue Minister. Hipkins claimed Parker’s reason was to focus on his newly-acquired transport portfolio, which he was given after Michael Wood was demoted.
However, asked this morning whether the real reason was that the tax work was not progressed, Parker said: “Look, you know, my views on those things, I thought it was untenable for me to continue so I suggested to Chris [Hipkins] that it was in the best interests of him and the party that someone else take that role.”