Labour blames mixed messaging on streaming levy on 'administrative oversight'
New Zealand's Labour Party has clarified that it will not introduce a streaming levy on services like Netflix, dismissing previous conflicting statements as an administrative oversight. Party leader Chris Hipkins stated that the policy was removed from the ballot to avoid increasing the cost of living for citizens.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the political sensitivity of tax policies and the challenges parties face in maintaining consistent messaging during election cycles.
Labour has blamed an "administrative oversight" for mixed messaging over whether the party would introduce a new levy on streaming services like Netflix.
And senior MP Willie Jackson has given a half-hearted apology for his own lack of clarity around Labour's tax policy in a media interview.
Leader Chris Hipkins on Monday night flatly ruled out introducing a streaming levy if elected in November.
But the National Party was quick to point out on Tuesday morning that Jackson had a member's bill in the ballot which would do just that.
"Chris Hipkins is a serial flip flopper, telling Kiwis one thing, while his caucus is doing another," National campaign chair Simeon Brown said on X.
Speaking to reporters later on Tuesday, Hipkins said the legislation had since been removed from the ballot.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in