The National Party says it will keep some form of government subsidy for people taking part in KiwiSaver if it wins the election, finance spokesman Bill English says.
In a speech to the superannuation fund summit in Wellington yesterday, Mr English reiterated National's stance that it would withhold its policy on the Government's savings scheme until closer to the election.
But speaking afterwards, he indicated National was likely to keep some form of government subsidy.
‘‘We haven't suggested anything about changing the government subsidy into KiwiSaver,'' he told Radio New Zealand.
‘‘We've said KiwiSaver will remain and we'll announce our policy when we're ready . . . There's no doubt there will be KiwiSaver with a government subsidy under National''.
At present, those joining the scheme get a $1000 kick start. They then get a tax credit of up to $20 a week and their employers, which will have to contribute 4% of their wages by 2011, will also get a tax credit of up to $20 per week.
National has previously accepted the first version of KiwiSaver but has not committed to the enhanced version, complete with tax credits and employer contributions, announced by Finance Minister Michael Cullen in the budget last year.
Mr English would not commit National yesterday to keeping the employer contribution component of the scheme.
Dr Cullen said National had previously attacked the scheme and it was important to look at all the details of its policy once it was on the table.
‘‘Let's see how they spell out their policy in detail,'' he told reporters.
‘‘They are obviously at sixes and sevens. They've completely condemned the programme, said it was useless, said it wouldn't work.''
He said axing employer contributions would be ‘‘silly'', as there had been little opposition from businesses.
