Kieran McAnulty
Labour candidate Wairarapa
1) Are you in favour of a water tax for its commercial use?
I am in favour of a small charge on commercial bottling of fresh water and irrigation. We must ensure that we return our rivers to a swimmable standard. Not doing so threatens our image as a clean, green producer. The value we extract from our primary produce is dependent on that image. A royalty on the commercial consumption of water will assist with the cost of keeping our water clean. The royalty will be flexible to reflect the scarcity or abundance of water in different regions, the different quality of water, and its use. The royalty for bottled water will be based on per litre and the royalty for irrigation water will be based on per 1000 litres. It will be proportionate and fair. Levels will be set following consultation and the revenue will largely be returned to regional councils.
2) Does such a tax threaten to deepen the region's town/country rift and the disconnect between food production and our population?
No, not at all. Claims to this extent are scaremongering. If this policy did as claimed I simply would not support it. I am from a farming background, and have a provincial pedigree going back seven generations. I work in economic development. Put simply, I would not advocate for a policy if I thought it would threaten rural economies.
3) Some say this will cost farmers and consumers - do you agree?
No. This policy will not pass on any material cost. After meeting with the Labour Party, Irrigation NZ have confirmed this will not occur. For example, they state the following changes would result: 1.5kg apples - no rise; 4kg potatoes - no rise; 1.5kg onions - no rise; 1.5kg carrots - no rise; bottle of wine - 2 cents rise; loaf of bread - 3 cents rise; milk 2 litres - no rise; cheese 1kg - 2 cent rise; icecream 2 litres - 5 cents rise.
