SYDNEY 鈥斅狈别飞听窜别补濒补苍诲听will extend the duration of听肠耻迟s in听蹿耻别濒听别虫肠颈蝉别听tax and public transport fares until the end of June, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Wednesday, in a bid to provide relief to families struggling with higher living costs.
Official data out last week showed听狈别飞听窜别补濒补苍诲鈥檚 consumer听颈苍蹿濒补迟颈辞苍听held near three-decade highs in the fourth quarter with prices rising for house construction and household utilities, and food costs on an upward trajectory.
Petrol prices in听狈别飞听窜别补濒补苍诲, like elsewhere, have risen sharply since Russia鈥檚 attack on Ukraine started around a year ago, contributing to significant听颈苍蹿濒补迟颈辞苍.
鈥淚鈥檝e said bread-and-butter issues like the cost of living would be my top priority,鈥 said Mr. Hipkins, who last month was elected the country鈥檚 leader in the wake of Jacinda Ardern鈥檚 resignation and could face a national election in October.
鈥淭his is our first step in dealing with some of the persistent cost pressures on businesses and families.鈥
Cutting听蹿耻别濒听别虫肠颈蝉别听and keeping half-price public transport will give extra relief for the聽聽in the country鈥檚 largest city of Auckland, Hipkins said.
The Labour government in March 2022 introduced the听肠耻迟聽in听蹿耻别濒听别虫肠颈蝉别听tax by 25 cents and the temporary measure has been extended three times.
The measures will reduce the cost of filling up a 60-litre tank of petrol by NZ$17.25 ($11.10), Mr. Hipkins said. Discounts on road user charges – a charge levied on diesel vehicle users – have been re-introduced and will continue through June 30.
The measures are expected to cost about NZ$718 million, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said.
鈥淲ith economists forecasting听狈别飞听窜别补濒补苍诲鈥檚听颈苍蹿濒补迟颈辞苍听to remain at elevated levels for longer than we鈥檝e seen in the past, we have decided to revisit our decision on the transport support package,鈥 Robertson said. 鈥 Reuters
