5. Question No. 5—FinanceNICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 5—Finance5. NICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions related to tax policy? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yes in the context in which they were made and undertaken acknowledging that context can change as a result for example of global and domestic economic backdrops. Nicola Willis: Does he stand by his reported statement that removing GST from fruit and vegetables would mostly benefit supermarkets and if not why not? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I believe that the particular policies that the Labour Party has announced are important. They're going to be useful in the future when the member clearly believes a Labour Government will be re-elected but they are not the subject of my ministerial responsibilities. Nicola Willis: Does he stand by his earlier statement—yes or no? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I stand by—as I said in my primary answer—statements in the contexts they were made. The member however does give me an excellent inspiration for this because when she back-flipped on the medium-density housing rules and it was put to her that it was a U-turn she said I don't see it that way I think it's a step forward." It's a step forward. Nicola Willis: Was his earlier statement based on the analysis by his own tax working group which found that similar changes in Europe were not fully passed through and on average consumers only reaped 30 percent of the benefit? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: My earlier statements were based on the information I had at the time. My current statements are based on things which aren't my ministerial responsibility but again I'm glad to see the member's endorsement of the Labour Party continuing in Government. Nicola Willis: Does he agree with Grant Robertson MP who said at the weekend that depreciation deductions for commercial buildings were "the last remaining … COVID … stimulus measure" or was the Minister correct when he said that it was "not a temporary measure until we get back on our feet; it is instead a change to restore and correct policy settings." and "not a short-term measure."? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I said in my primary answer I stand by the statements I've made in the context in which they were made. Hon Julie Anne Genter: Can he confirm that a tax-free threshold paid for with a wealth tax would guarantee that more people have enough income to cover the essentials? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Obviously that would depend on those people's circumstances. Nicola Willis: Has the Minister asked for advice on how much it would cost to provide the Grocery Commissioner with the army of officials he would require in order to enforce a GST policy which would deliver a 100 percent reduction on a pass-through on fruit and vegetables? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No. Nicola Willis: Are there any other statements on tax he's made that he would like to walk back today or would he prefer to ask the Prime Minister first? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No I'm very comfortable with the statements I've made. However I am happy to reach out to the member and assist her with taking down all of the signs that she's going to have to take down by midnight because they're against the rules of the Wellington City Council."