Labour has accused National of misleading voters after the Advertising Standards Authority upheld part of a complaint over a National Party advertisement about Labour’s proposed capital gains tax.

The National brochure claimed Labour’s tax would “hit the family bach, rentals, small businesses and KiwiSaver.”

The Advertising Standards Authority Complaints Board upheld the complaint in part, finding National had not adequately supported the impression that the proposed tax would apply to personal KiwiSaver balances.

Labour campaign chair Kieran McAnulty seized on the ruling, accusing National of running a dishonest election campaign.

“From billboards to letterboxes, National is running a campaign of lies because it can’t run on its own record,” McAnulty said.

“Now the Advertising Standards Authority has called them out. That should concern every Kiwi who expects political parties to tell the truth during an election campaign.”

The Complaints Board found the substantiation provided by National about the possible indirect impact on KiwiSaver did not support the likely impression that the tax would apply to personal KiwiSaver balances.

National had argued KiwiSaver investors could be indirectly affected because KiwiSaver funds invest in businesses which own commercial buildings.

It also argued the proposed tax could affect businesses which own the premises they operate from.

McAnulty said National was attempting to shift attention away from its performance in government.

“National wants people to believe things about Labour policies that simply aren’t true because it knows the reality of its own record is deeply unpopular.”

He said voters should scrutinise the Government’s record rather than accept its campaign advertising.

“Kiwis deserve better than this. This election, don’t fall for National’s lies. Look at the facts, look at the record, and ask yourself whether you’re better off than you were three years ago,” McAnulty said.

The ASA decision means the National Party advertisement cannot be used again in its current form.