Holness hits out at tax package

Poison, Poison!  That’s what the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is calling the 2012-2013 budget.

Opposition Leader Andrew Holness said the budget did not have any medicinal effect and was not bitter medicine but was poison.

The opposition leader said the budget would kill businesses, further impoverish the poor and restrict growth in the economy.

Andrew Holness was making his contribution to the budget debate in the house this afternoon.

Mr. Holness focused heavily on what he said, was the failure of the government to embrace tax reform, and said the budget did not reflect any effort at reform that would have improved equity, underpinned growth and provided hope for the people.

Mr. Holness referred to work the JLP administration had done on tax reform as part of its agreement with the IMF.

He said the Portia Simpson Miller led administration had turned opportunity to crisis and squandered the opportunity to advance on the position of the former administration.

Mr. Holness said a government made up by his party would not have imposed the tax package presented by the PNP administration.

He said the JLP opposed tax on animal feeds and seeds to farmers.

He also said the tax on the tourism industry would be a disincentive to investment in the industry.