5. Tax System—Tax Working Group OutcomesHon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of FinanceTax System—Tax Working Group Outcomes5. Hon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of Finance: Will he guarantee any new taxes resulting from the Tax Working Group will have their total nominal revenue off-set by tax reductions in other areas?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Associate Minister of Finance) on behalf of the Minister of Finance: I welcome the member's interest in the independent Tax Working Group's activities and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank her and encourage her along with all New Zealanders who are interested in the issue to make a submission at www.taxworkinggroup.govt.nz to join the national conversation about the future of New Zealand's tax system. In respect of her question the member is getting well ahead of herself. The independent Tax Working Group will report back to Ministers in February 2019 and for the benefit of the member it is currently March 2018. As the Tax Working Group is independent it would be inappropriate for Ministers to make commitments on its behalf before its recommendations are received. Hon Amy Adams: Why is he incapable of giving taxpayers a simple reassurance that this working group is not just a Government exercise designed to tax hard-working New Zealanders even more? Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Because it isn't. It's a responsible conversation about the future of New Zealand's tax system. Hon Amy Adams: Given that tax revenue is forecast to increase from $78 billion this year to $93 billion in 2021—an increase of nearly 20 percent in just three years—why is he so determined to introduce more new taxes? SPEAKER: Oh can I—again I'm going to let the question go but I want to remind the member that she is not allowed to make assertions as she did at the end as part of the question. It's not necessary as part of the question. Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Yeah I do obviously reject the premise of that question. But I can confirm that it is this Government's plan—despite her trying to talk the economy down—for GDP to keep growing. Hon Amy Adams: How much additional tax revenue beyond the $93 billion per year forecast for 2021 does he project he will need to fully fund all of the 51 spending commitments in the Speech from the Throne? Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The operating and capital revenues set aside in the coming envelopes are sufficient to meet the promises and some beside.Tamati Coffey: What expert commentary has he seen recently on the tax system?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I saw one expert who asked whether the public wanted tax cuts at this point in time as opposed to more investment in health and education specifically commenting that My view has always been that you have got to properly fund health and education first before considering tax cuts." I never thought I'd say this but I've found myself agreeing wholeheartedly with the Hon Jonathan Coleman former Minister of Health.Hon Amy Adams: Why does he believe it is appropriate to have a Government working group that is being directed to consider the introduction of new taxes at the same time he's raising debt by billions of dollars during a period of solid economic growth leaving himself nowhere to grow should economic growth evaporate?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: This Government has a plan to see debt as a proportion of the economy drop over time. And I'd also say that I expect the tax working group will report back in line with its terms of reference and I'm very happy to table those for the member."