Defence spending increase
For New Zealand’s most vulnerable beneficiary families, however, the ‘‘gains are not nearly as great’’, he said.
The housing supply also needed to increase, he said.
Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-galloway said the boost to social housing was ‘‘too little, too late’’, and the Government was not interested in increasing housing stock.
‘‘We know Auckland needs a lot of attention, but other parts of the country need affordable housing for home buyers and need affordable social housing to rent.’’
Phillips said there was no emergency accommodation set up for families or single men with children.
Mokalei and Phillips were both on the benefit, but were looking for work.
Mokalei said he had a criminal record for dishonesty from when he was younger, and said employers and landlords often judged him because of it.
But, he said he had turned over a new leaf and simply wanted to be given a chance to put a roof over his family’s head.
Mokalei’s mother, Diane Hames, who the family are staying with, said she felt sorry for them.
‘‘I just think it’s so unfair that nobody is willing to help them.’’
NZ First MP Darroch Ball said the Government’s approach to social investment was failing.
‘‘National has been in power for almost a decade. The holes they are trying to fill now, and are failing to do, are a result of their utter failure to stop them from occurring in the first place.’’ Palmerston North politicians are at odds over what the Budget means for the area’s defence and transport needs.
Finance Minister Steven Joyce announced a $982 million boost for the Defence Force, and another $9.17 billion of capital investment in the state highway network, during his Budget speech on Thursday.
There was also $548m put aside for maintenance and upgrades of the rail network, with $450m to be invested in Kiwirail in the next two years.
The defence spending included Manawatu defence camps getting a share of $100m for upgrades, and $110m for investing in a logistics system.
Military bases at Linton and Ohakea were already pledged $573m in August for upgrades.
However, there was no money set aside for any of the region’s state highways, including the currently-closed State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge.
Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-galloway said the defence spending was ‘‘steady as she goes’’.
The lack of Manawatu-specific transport spending, including no money specifically set aside for the Capital Connection train, was typical of the National-led Government, he said.
‘‘The Government’s transport policy has overlooked the regions repeatedly.’’
Public transport spending had been focused on larger cities, while Manawatu did not feature in the Roads of National Significance project.
The city would not be able to live up to its billing as a lower North Island logistics hub without investment in rail and road, he said.
Palmerston North National candidate Adrienne Pierce said the defence spending was exciting. ‘‘We hold the Crown jewels as far as defence goes.’’
She said there was non-specific funding for Kiwirail, which could be invested in Manawatu.
Palmerston North-based NZ First MP Darroch Ball said the defence spending was not significant, and the transport spend was not targeted at Manawatu.