OPPOSITION and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Andrew Holness is promising a favourable tax amnesty to collect at least $4 billion of the $50 billion in tax arrears owed to the country, if his party forms the next Government.

Holness, who was addressing thousands of supporters at the party’s mass rally in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew, on Sunday, said he will also be able to give back to Jamaicans the gas tax they now pay, and this will increase spending and the collection of General Consumption Tax (GCT).

In a staunch defence of the party’s proposal to remove income tax from the salaries of PAYE (pay as you earn) taxpayers who earn $1.5 million and under, Holness said this is the first campaign where the party has made so much effort to research the initiatives it has put forward.

“Our tax reform will not hurt the budget; it is revenue neutral. We will not increase GCT,” he said.

The JLP, Holness said, “will be the government to reduce taxes”. He said that the party was aware, during its research, that a small number of people would face an anomaly between pay and rank. However, the Opposition leader said his government would put measures in place to ensure no one loses.

He noted that, if the country sticks with the ruling People’s National Party, Jamaicans could be stuck with heavy taxation for four years.

“That is why they don’t want to face us, because them can’t answer the questions we have for them. They are worried about repaying debts and what they want to do is to reach in your pocket and take out your money,” he said.

Holness said it was United States President Barack Obama who said Jamaica cannot continue to squeeze tax out of the people, but should focus on growing the economy quickly. He noted that only the JLP has the ability to fulfil that growth objective.

Noting that Jamaica has gone green, the colour of his party, Holness said in this election more than ever, people are talking about issues. He urged them to channel that into a vote. “Go to the polls and make your views count. Show them you are not just the articulate minority; you are the majority who want to see better for your country,” he pleaded.

Holness said the JLP’s plan is to give the PNP a headache as they can no longer “come with oxtail, curry goat and JEEP (Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme) to trick” electors.

“Man who don’t have no plan cuss man with plan, and woman who have no plan run from debate,” he said, making reference to the PNP’s criticisms of his plans.

Holness said the PNP’s refusal to debate has reduced Jamaica’s democracy.

“They say they don’t need to tell you anything [because], as far as they are concerned, they own you and Jamaica. They should be punished for that disrespect and I want you to give them a whipping for that disrespect,” he said.

Under a JLP-led Government, Holness said, unemployed youth would earn a stipend and be able to give back in service to their country through an apprenticeship programme.

Meanwhile, Holness also had harsh words for criminal elements, as he noted that a government led by him will not tolerate criminality.

“We want all the gangsters to pay attention to the plan because wi nuh have nuh time fi waste with you. While we know it’s tough, we cannot make excuses for crime. We say to gangsters, there is a part of the prosperity plan for you. When you give up the nine, the faster we can give you the nine-to-five,” he said amidst wild cheers from the crowd.