Budget’s mixed review

One of the big topical issues for Horowhenua and Ka¯ piti is the significant variance in fuel prices.

The Coalition Government has released its first budget and it’s had mixed reviews. It’s good to see investment being made into Health and Education. What’s surprising to see is no one gets universally cheaper doctors’ visits that were promised in the campaign. However it’s heartening to see they will provide them to Community Service Card holders.

The Ardern-Peters Government was fortunate that National had left the Government books in such good order and despite sloshing around in cash, they are hell-bent on spending more and will rack up $11b more of debt, which is a risk.

What is concerning is that Treasury is predicting the economy to slow and jobs being created to drop from 10,000 a month over the last two years to around 4000 a year under the coalition Government.

There are some puzzling spending choices made, with $1 billion allocated for more diplomats, and hardworking Kiwis pretty much left out. Middle-income families are getting steadily worse off, with the cancellation of National’s tax cuts where average income earners lose out on $1000 a year. I have a lot of elderly in my electorate who will be disappointed to see the winter energy payments delayed by two months until 1 July. This will cost elderly couples nearly $300 when winter conditions have already arrived.

One of the big topical issues for Horowhenua and Kāpiti is the significant variance in fuel prices. This will only get worse as we are going to pay nearly 13 cents more a litre to help pay for Auckland trams. This will hurt everyday working families and cost around $350 a year. It’s also looking more likely that the expressway from Ōtaki to Levin won’t be funded to construction, which is a big disappointment.

From where I sit this budget confirms this Government will borrow, tax and spend more — but has no plans for how we as a country can earn more.