IF oil companies, price setters, bureaucrats and politicians aren’t getting the message that people are really feeling the financial pinch, they soon will be.
“In just a couple of days, over 1000 people have signed our petition to remove the GST from all our food,” says organiser Grant Morgan. “At one stall in Mangere, 250 people signed in less than two hours.”
Mr Morgan is part of grass roots political movement RAM, which until recently was known as the Residents Action Movement.
“Removing GST from food is the tax cut of most benefit to people struggling to pay the bills,” says Mr Morgan.
“It would slash every family’s food costs by 12.5 per cent. Yet neither National or Labour, despite promising tax cuts, are talking about removing GST from food.
“This is an abdication of their duty to care for ordinary people.”
He says the petition is reflecting how people are feeling about the present economic situation.
“First, most people are hurting bad. They’re facing a terrifying escalation in food prices at the same time as the cost of petrol, electricity, rates and rents is rising, meaning their wages are falling in value.
“Second, they’re cynical about parliamentary politicians.”
The RAM name is now the movement’s main brand and the group that often reflects the everyday thoughts and concerns of rank and file Kiwi working families is now turning its attention to national politics.
After contesting recent local body elections in the Auckland region, RAM candidate names will be on ballot papers in this year’s general election.
“RAM is shifting from being an Auckland-based council ticket to a countrywide broad left party standing for parliament, as well as councils,” says Mr Morgan.
“One of our main policy planks is removing GST from food.
“To be legally registered on the list ballot for parliament, a party must have 500 registered members.
“RAM has signed up over 500 in little more than a month and we’re well on our way to a membership of 1000.
“If present recruitment trends hold and we see no reason why they shouldn’t, RAM will have 4000 members by the time of our first national conference in August.
“That would take RAM into the top five parties in New Zealand in terms of membership and help us make a loud noise about GST on food.”
Mr Morgan says the GST on food petition will be presented to Grey Power, unions, churches, student associations and other grass roots organisations asking for their support.
RAM’s petition will also be handed over to politicians of parties represented at parliament.
