MAGGIE BARRY MP for North Shore

Budget 2013 is an excellent Budget. With this 5th Budget, Finance Minister Bill English and the National Government continue to create the right settings for businesses to invest and create jobs, and for our economy to grow.

HEALTH receives the largest increase - $14.7 billion being spent on health, including:

$70 million for aged care and dementia services, $35.5 million for diabetes and heart disease, 
$100 million extra to meet population changes and cost pressures in disability support services.
$48 million for more elective operations such as hip replacements and cataracts.
$25 million to increase the number of people being screened for diseases, particularly breast cancer.
More than $21 million to reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever and undertake rheumatic fever vaccine research.

This is a budget that’s good for business.  A $100 million-a-year internationally focused growth package will further support research and development, tourism, and marketing to international students. The Government’s annual investment in research and development lifts to $1.36 billion, the highest ever.

Initiatives to support HOUSING AFFORDABILITY:
Legislation will be introduced to increase housing affordability and improve the local regulatory environment.
The Government is working with councils to create accords to increase land supply and streamline planning and consent processes.

EDUCATION increases to $9.7 billion, including
$215 million to raise student achievement
Over $1 billion to assist schools with the provision of modern, 21st Century learning environments
Over $130 million more for higher level tertiary education

Initiatives to support those who are vulnerable in our community, including: 
$100m for home insulation
$1.5m for budgeting advice services
$13.7 million to support the Children's Action Plan in operating funding over four years

$1.5 billion of proceeds from the Mighty River Power float will be invested in Christchurch hospitals, irrigation, schools, and the KiwiRail turnaround plan. The Government has also announced Meridian Energy will be the next company to be prepared for a partial share offer.

ACC levy reductions of around $300 million in 2014/15, increasing to around $1 billion in 2015/16, will lower costs on businesses and households.

You can read more detail about BUDGET 2013 here: http://www.national.org.nz/budget2013.aspx

I rise to speak to the  Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2). This is very much a bill whose time has passed. It probably ought never to have been put into the ballot. It has been drawn up after the events have already overtaken it. From what I can gather talking to members of the rural community people are very happy with the status quo.

MAGGIE BARRY (National—North Shore) to the Minister of Finance: What measures is the Government taking to help increase national savings?

Hon PETER DUNNE (Minister of Revenue) on behalf of the Minister of Finance: The Government has taken a number of measures to increase genuine savings and reduce New Zealand’s vulnerability to overseas lenders. We have set a path back to Budget surplus by 2014-15, when we can start repaying debt. We have reduced taxes on savings and work, and increased taxes on consumption and housing speculation, and we have embarked on a share offer programme in energy companies that will give everyday New Zealanders another option for their increased savings. Around 440,000 New Zealanders have pre-registered their interest in buying shares in  Mighty River Power.

Maggie Barry: Why is it important that New Zealand increases national savings?