Labour will not campaign to introduce a capital gains tax, even though the Green Party is pushing for one, leader Andrew Little says
Mr Little told Morning Report's Susie Ferguson the party's tax policies would be finalised after the Budget in May.
Mr Little said said "the numbers would decide" how much influence the Greens would have after the election, but each party campaigned on its own policies.
"New Zealanders should not expect to see a capital gains tax after the 2017 election," he said.
Mr Little said Labour wanted reinvestment in education, health and housing. It would set up a working group to review the entire tax system on the principles of fairness.
Labour and the Greens will announce next week what principles they will use in their approach to economic policy, under their co-operation agreement for the election. Labour has ruled out an increase to income tax.
Green Party co-leader James Shaw told Morning Report today the party would still campaign for a capital gains tax, but its other policies were still being worked out. At the 2014 election, its policy was to introduce a new 40 percent rate for income over $140,000.
Mr Shaw said the Greens would argue for more action on climate change and the imbalance in the economy because of over investment in the property market, he said.
"Our ability to influence the Labour Party will depend on our numbers in Parliament" - James Shaw
Yesterday Prime Minister Bill English told the programme tax cuts were on the table for a National-led government and hinted they could come in as early as next year.
ACT leader David Seymour said the goverment should introduce tax cuts in this year's budget and not use them as an election bribe.
"If the National Party delivered on every tax cut they promised the IRD would be paying us by now" - David Seymour
Mr Seymour said National had not kept to its promises on tax cuts, and his party will push for tax relief.