Venkat Raman
Auckland, November 14, 2021
ACT party leader David Seymour is looking for a candidate from the Indian community to run in the general election due in 2023.
“We would like to have the right person with the right attitude; someone who would consider representing not only the Indian community, but all New Zealanders. Obviously, such a person will believe in the policies and programs of the ACT party, ”he said.
Chat with Indians living in Auckland
Mr. Seymour was participating in an open discussion with members of the “Indians Living in Auckland” Facebook group and readers of Indian news link yesterday (Saturday, November 13, 2021).
Rashna Tata, a moderator of the Group led the discussion, with an introduction from Shree Nigudkar, also a moderator.
The ACT leader is optimistic about the electoral outlook in 2023, as his party has consistently scored high in opinion polls. Although he has not yet marked the spirits in the list of “Preferred Prime Ministers”, he is confident of forming the next government with the National Party.
A few candidates from the Indian community of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch had run under the ACT banner in general elections held in the past, but the Party’s dismal performance and low scoring prevented them from making it to the Parliament. Now, with an improved rating and more seats (Mr Seymour expects at least 25 MPs) in 2023, there is a reasonable chance for someone of Indian descent to become an ACT MP. .
Sound tax management
Mr Seymour said public finances will be properly managed under a national ACT government, with streamlined public spending.
“The current government is spending too much without generating revenue. While the top tax rate is 33%, there are very few people at this level. We would like to have an average tax bracket ($ 48,000 to $ 70,000) that represents the majority of New Zealanders, with an income tax rate dropped to 17.5%, ”he said. .
During his hour-long discussion, Mr Seymour covered a wide range of topics, including issues of agreement and disparity with National should he be elected to form the next government.
Agreement with National
He has no reluctance to work with national leader Judith Collins, although there may be some tough issues that ACT must be content with with the status quo. These include increasing or maintaining the existing minimum wage, retirement pensions and possibly immigration.
But there is agreement on most other issues, especially those related to the Covid-19 restrictions, the law of three strikes, the three water reforms and “policies of segregation.”
“The number of Covid cases continues to increase in the community. It’s just a matter of how we deal with it and how prepared we are for the long term. We believe the economy should be open and Auckland should emerge from isolation by November 29, 2021. That is why we have declared December 1, 2021 as “Freedom Day”. We need to start balancing all the costs related to Covid and setting a date for our response to Covid to meet the standards we have set for ourselves, ”he said.
The Ontario model
Criticizing the Labor government on its handling of the pandemic, Mr Seymour recommended the ‘Ontario model’, whereby those affected by Covid-19 receive home care with oxygenators and proper supervision.
“There was a similar proposal from a contractor in New Zealand, but the government didn’t bother to look into it. We allow people to go to crowded supermarkets to shop and have a picnic. We should allow hotel companies to open with limited seating and maybe outdoor seating, ”he said.
