NZ does have a tier of genuine poverty. absolutely. however, there is the economic handout, that really means few should have to survice on SFA. afterall, a country where a family on a combined income of circa 50K with 2 kids.. basically does not pay tax.. or much for any government service. Is a country not that bad off in comparison to others.

Budget is a good start but did not go far enough. Those that think health etc is underfunded need to remember that NZ is the poorest country (per capita income) in the OECD and it's going backwards.

The simple fact is that poor people cant afford expensive stuff like first class health care, good education and welfare for all and sundry. And if they pay for said expensive stuff using credit then it's only a matter of time till they become like Greece.

Generating wealth is (allegedely) a priority for this gubbiment and so it should be. Without that everyone looses, no matter how much the various groups protest.

Yip

Was anyone else surprised by Bollard's comments in the paper this morning?

An excerpt from http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/speeches/4149233.html

Dr Bollard wrote:The 1 October income tax reductions mean most people are already compensated for the effects of the GST increase. Given this, there is less argument for one-off CPI-indexed wage increases.

So the RB basically regard the tax cuts to be completely eaten up by the GST rise. We're National elected on promises of tax cuts?

Dont forget the ETS which is just another tax and puts us behind where we were.

phunk wrote:Dont forget the ETS which is just another tax and puts us behind where we were.

OH, I'd forgotten about that

If you don't spend your money you get a tax cut - especially if you invest in a PIE fund

As most New Zealanders spend what they earn it does seem tax cuts are neutralised by GST -

But dont forget, John Key is one cool guy

Zoom wrote:If you don't spend your money you get a tax cut - especially if you invest in a PIE fund

As most New Zealanders spend what they earn it does seem tax cuts are neutralised by GST -

always blow it on the PIE

Dr Bollard wrote:The 1 October income tax reductions mean most people are already compensated for the effects of the GST increase. Given this, there is less argument for one-off CPI-indexed wage increases.

Says that man, who earns How much?