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Scoop's Budget 2006 Coverage

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For the latest headlines and reaction see..
PARLIAMENT WIRE..., POLITICS WIRE..., BUSINESS WIRE..., EDUCATION WIRE..., HEALTH WIRE...

BUDGET 2006: HEADLINES
Michael Cullen's 7th Budget Speech - Finance Minister, Michael Cullen: "I move, that the Appropriation (2006/07 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time. Budget 2006 demonstrates the importance to the Government and the people of New Zealand of the commonsense, consistent, long term view that has been taken over the previous six Budgets. Over the period from 2000 to 2005 New Zealand experienced very strong economic growth, averaging nearly four per cent over the last five years. This has led to strong household income growth, rising real incomes, and very low levels of unemployment. Since December 1999 an additional 313,000 jobs have been created in the New Zealand economy." See... Budget Speech 2006
ALSO:
Parliament Audio: Michael Cullen's Budget 2006 speech.

Budget 2006: PM's Statement - Transforming New Zealand

RELATED LINKS:For the full text (when released) of the budget see...
TREASURY BUDGET 2006 WEBSITE
See also the BEEHIVE BUDGET PAGE

For previous budgets see...
BUDGET 2005 - BUDGET 2004 - BUDGET 2003 - BUDGET 2002 - BUDGET 2001 & BUDGET 2000

BUDGET 2006 – SCOOP COMMENTARY

Sludge Report #171 - Budget 2006 - A Budget For Auckland (And Internet Users)

Scoop Sludge Report: NZ Finance Minister Dr Michael Cullen presents Budget 2006 to the media lock-up - With his lead budget headline stolen by a DPMC messenger – local loop unbundling, Finance Minister Michael Cullen faced only minimal questioning in the budget lock-up this afternoon as he delivered his 7th budget media lock-up presentation in the Beehive banquet hall. Mind you having delivered a very long explanation in his presentation, there was arguably not a great deal left to find out. In fact as you look closely a fairly large chunk of the announced new spending in Budget 2006 is in fact related to initiatives the government campaigned on which have already been actioned. SEE…C.D. Sludge's Budget 2006 Report & Budget 2006 Images And Audio
ALSO:
Scoop Audio: Selwyn Manning and Simon Pound discuss the 2006 Budget, how targeted funding often offers indication of where the Government intends to take the country – watch out for the detail. Also discussed is how David Cunliffe is the man of the week.

The Letter - The Haps; The key statistics; What is not in the budget; Inflationary; Fueling inflation; Predictions always wrong; Spin not substance; Huge risk; Paying for mis investment; Charles Chauvel; Caucus Unsettled; Pinch National policy?; Survived another week; ... See... The Letter – Monday, 22 May 2006

Molesworth and Featherston - The economic idea behind Michael Cullen’s seventh budget is that the downturn we’re in is a temporary and inevitable part of an economic cycle; and that the best response is to keep a steady hand. See... Molesworth & Featherston (Budget) – May 19th 2006

Trans Tasman - Budget Time again for Michael Cullen, and speculation to the contrary, it’s unlikely to be his last ... Red faces all round when the budget leaker, a Beehive messenger, is uncovered ... “Gross and disgraceful dishonesty” the PM says ... But Michael Ryan ... See... Transtasman Political Letter – 18 May Digest

Marc Alexander - Isn't the point of a budget to live within your means and not everybody else's? Nothing makes a budget look sicker than high living and that's exactly what Cullen and the Labour socialists delivered yesterday. After filching a record $8.48 billion surplus ... Marc My Words: An obscene and obese Budget

Beehive Bulletin - Finance Minister Michael Cullen described his seventh Budget as one that delivered on Labour's election promises and guarantees solutions to key regional transport issues. The budget allocates new operating spending of $9.6 billion and capital of ... Beehive Bulletin - Budget 2006 Special

BUDGET 2006 – POST BUDGET DAY DEVELOPMENTS

NZ Govt. - Hon. Michael Cullen - Wellington Chamber Address

NZ Govt - Clark: Auckland Chamber of Commerce Post Budget

Budget 2006: Peter Harris And Pals Discuss Budget's Social ImpactWhile many in the media were obsessed with haranguing Dr Cullen for tax cuts – presumably to enable them to take that extra overseas holiday– Scoop rose before any self respecting crow the day after Budget 2006 and attended Public Health Association's annual post Budget brekky to see if there were other stories around. Dissecting the Budget from a social perspective at the PHA's post budget breakfast were four high profile speakers: Rod Oram, Peter Harris, Cindy Kiro and Debbie Te Whaiti. See... Budget 2006 - A Social Perspective
ALSO:

Scoop Report - Sludge Report #171 - Budget 2006

Scoop - Budget 2006 Lockup - Images And Audio

NZ Govt - Budget Speech 2006

NZ Govt - Budget 2006 Executive Summary

NZ Govt - Budget 2006: Rt Hon Helen Clark Budget Speech

BUDGET DEBATE SPEECHES - AUDIO AS DELIVERED
Michael Cullen's Budget 2006 speech.
Prime Minister, Helen Clark's speech.

National Leader, Don Brash's speech.
NZ First Leader, Winston Peters's speech.

Budget: Spy Budget Doubles Aid Stays The Same - Locke Sees Red - "Our spies got $23.28 million to do their job last time around. But in the year 2006/07, this will rocket up to $43.49 million - without any explanation in the Budget about what this money is for."This increase comes at the same time that our aid vote - which could actually help to reduce income disparity and instability in our region, if properly funded - is being held to its current paltry ratio. See... Budget bonanza for spies
ALSO:

Caritas - Budget Disappointment as ODA Stays the Same

CID - Poor performance on aid in Budget

BUDGET 2006 – THE REACTION - FULL COVERAGE

BUDGET DEBATE SPEECHES - AS PREPARED

Budget 2006: Rt Hon Helen Clark Budget Speech

Winston Peters’ 2006 Budget Speech

SELECTED BUDGET DEBATE SPEECHES- AUDIO AS DELIVERED
Parliament Audio: Michael Cullen's Budget 2006 speech.
Parliamentary Audio: Prime Minister, Helen Clark's speech.
Parliamentary Audio: National Leader, Don Brash's speech.
Parliamentary Audio: NZ First Leader, Winston Peters's speech.

Parliamentary Reaction:

Office of the Speaker - Parliamentary broadcasts to be extended

Labour

What’s in Budget 2006 for you?

Beehive Bulletin - Budget 2006 Special

Rural New Zealand central to Government thinking

Budget boost for Northland skills

Massive boost for Waikato's transport projects

Southland classrooms chalk up Budget bonus

Marlborough-Kaikoura classrooms Budget bonus

Constant Improvement the Theme for Courts

NZ Govt - More good news from a focussed Budget

NZ Govt - Budget funding for home rating scheme

National

Budget biosecurity funding a sham

Budget 2006: All talk no action on prison work

Anderton fails farmers twice in a week

www.mccully.co.nz 19 May 2006

Brash: Post-Budget Address

Budget: Prison costs still not not nailed down

Pansy Speak: 'The State Knows Best' Budget

The Mapp Report: Bondi or Bust?

Budget 2006: Maharey misleads schools

Collins' Comments

Budget 2006: Dumped patients will take no comfort

Bondi Budget bad for New Zealand – Don Brash Speech

Cullen's Supersize Me surplus – John Key

Progressive Party

Brash's cultural cringe reminiscent of Sir Joh

Greens

Paying properly for aged care

Flat Earth budget ignores the real world

Greens look to overseas aid budget increase

The Maori Party

Budget 2006: Flaming Torches and Tomahawks

A Tale of Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing

Sharples: National identity - whose identity?

Labour says Maori Don't Matter

Sharples: The Genuine Progress Index

Turia: 2006 Budget Address

NZ First

Dental Health Facts in Short Supply

An MMP Budget: NZ First Fixing It for All NZers

One Small Step For Immigration

NZ First Fixing It In The Eldercare Sector

Electricity Reforms Before Splitting Telecom

ACT

ACT New Zealand - Budget Crumbs For Auckland Roads

The "Lost Opportunity Budget"

United Future

Leader's Letter: Budget special

NZ Government (Reaction To Reaction)

Try reading the Budget Rodney!

Cunliffe welcomes Brash broadband commitment

Non Parliamentary Political Reaction:

ALCP - Cannabis Party declares Vote of No Confidence

Democrats for Social Credit - Cullen thinks inside the square

Every Child Counts - Budget 2006

Health Sector Reaction:

Health Cuts Hurt - Budget Continues Underfunding Model For Hospitals

Foundation for the Deaf - Brighter Future for Hearing Impaired Babies

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons - Budget neglects waiting lists

Smokefree Coalition - How Many People Have To Die? - Smokefree Coalition

College of General Practitioners - Good news but... says College of GPs

Healthcare Providers - Aged Care: Funding increase welcomed, not enough

Public Health Association - Public Health Association Gives Budget 7 Out of 10

NZNO - Budget Leaves Aged Care Out in the Cold

NZMA - Mixed reaction to Budget

Education Sector Reaction:

Manukau Institute of Technology - Skills training boost vital for future development

Education Forum - Student loan access for thousands under threat

Secondary Futures - “Education project has Future extended”

Quality Public Education Coalition - Unimaginative Budget for Education

National Maori Tertiary Students Association - Mâori students distraught at Budget cuts

School Trustees Association - Budget no surprise say school trustees

Mâori students distraught at Budget cuts

NZ School Trustees Association - Budget no surprise say school trustees

NZEI - Govt Investment in Early Childhood, Schools

NZ University Students' Association - Government fails to build on interest free loans

AUS - More investment needed for universities

Union Reaction:

NZCTU - Disappointment at Funding for Maori Development

NZCTU - CTU welcomes new spending on literacy

NZCTU - Lifting Wages a Far Higher Priority than Tax Cuts

NZCTU - Budget Addresses Modernisation Agenda

Business Sector Reaction:

New Zealand Business Roundtable - Budget 2006: "Read It and Weep"

Distilled Spirits Association Of NZ Inc - Alcohol tax increase hits ordinary Kiwis

NZ Venture Investment Fund - NZVIF praises venture capital sector budget boost

Contractors Federation - Roading windfall will boost regional economies

Council for Infrastructure Development - Expressways more than 10 years away despite funds

Council for Infrastructure Development - Budget roading investment still behind

Industry Training Federation of New Zealand - Industry Training Opportunity Missed

AA - AA Congratulates Government On A Fantastic Budget

Roading NZ - Response to 2006 Budget

Bank of New Zealand - BNZ Weekly Overview May 18 2006

Property Council Of New Zealand - Investment in land transport good news

Business Council for Sustainable Development - Budget hits the right buttons

Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce - King and Cullen Congratulated on Road Funding

Business NZ - Budget Incremental Rather Than Transformational

Tourism Industry Association - Budget no boost for tourism

New Zealand Business Roundtable - Government Must Reassess Growth Strategy

EMA Northern - Government spending not as efficient as tax cuts

Federated Farmers - After The Party Comes The Hangover

Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Transforming Auckland's Economy Up to the Region & Now It’s Up to Transit to Get the Job Done

Ernst and Young - No Tax Cuts This Year

Other Reaction

Molesworth & Featherston (Budget) – May 19th 2006

Keith Ng - Public Address 19/05/06 - Budgetballs

COMVOICES - Lacklustre but not necessarily lacking

ECO - Environmentally blind budget

Caritas - Budget Disappointment as ODA Stays the Same

Maxim Institute - Real Issues - No 205, 18 May 2006

Council of Christian Social Services - Budget 2006 - We’re Not There Yet

Save the Children - Violence Prevention And Family Focus Positive

Council for International Development - Poor performance on aid in Budget

NZbio - NZbio welcomes $13 million budget boost

Association of Crown Research Institutes - RS&T - right direction, new approaches applauded

Manukau City Council - Budget Great News for Manukau

NZ Screen Council - Screen Council Funding Confirmed

Child Poverty Action Group - Budget expectations 2006

NZCSS - Budget 2006 - We’re Not There Yet

Save The Children - Violence Prevention And Family Focus Positive

Council for International Development - Poor performance on aid in Budget

NZ On Air - NZ On Air welcomes funding increase

Families Commission - Budget Recognises Seriousness of Family Violence

Association of Crown Research Institutes - RS&T - right direction, new approaches applauded

Roading New Zealand - Roading expected to benefit from budget 2006

BUDGET 2006 – THE PRESS KIT
(Note see also pre-budget announcements below)

The Budget Speech

Budget Speech 2006

Coalition Leaders' Statements

Labour's Helen Clark - Transforming New Zealand

NZ First's Winston Peters - An MMP Budget: NZ First Fixing It for All NZers

United Future's Peter Dunne - Leader's Letter: Budget special

SUMMARY SHEETS

Budget 2006 Executive Summary

Budget 2006 Theme 1 - Economic Transformation

Budget 2006 Theme 2 - Families, Young and Old

Budget 2006 Theme 3 - National Identity

Economy

Delivering on commitments, investing for future

Budget 2006: Funding to boost promotion of NZ

Budget 2006: Protecting consumers and investors

Education

Budget 2006: Strengthening New Zealand schools

Budget 2006: Quality and access in EC Education

Budget 2006: Transforming the learning environment

Budget 2006: Tertiary sector vital for economy

Budget 2006: Training to boost industry skills

Budget 2006: Improving skills of the workforce

Budget 2006: Further financial help for students

Welfare


Health

Budget 2006: A health budget for all NZ families

Budget 2006: A healthier future for young NZers

Budget 2006: Caring for older New Zealanders

Budget 2006: $76 million to fight obesity epidemic

ACC funding to improve treatment outcomes

Housing

Budget 2006: 2000+ homes added over three years

Law, Order & Security

Budget 2006: Safer families and communities

Budget 2006: More money for safer borders

Research, Growth And Innovation Framework

Budget 2006: Supporting firms to break offshore

Budget 2006: Venture capital for young firms

Budget 2006: Driving innovation through science

Budget 2006 Q&A: Venture Investment Fund

Budget 06 Q&A: Market Development Assistance

Art, Culture And Sport

Budget 2006: Arts, culture & heritage investment

Budget 2006: Support for arts & culture increases

Budget 2006: Enhancing New Zealand broadcasting

Budget 2006: Funding boost for sport & recreation

Trade and Foreign Affairs

Budget 2006: Defence needs at home and abroad met

Budget 2006: Boost for Foreign Affairs & ODA

Other Stuff - Maori, State Sector, Local Govt

Budget 2006: The Maori Potential Approach

Budget 2006: Investing in Mâori Potential

Budget 2006: $311 million for conservation

Budget 2006: Help to revitalise Pacific languages

Budget 2006: Major boost for land transport

Budget 2006: 5-year Funding Package for SHs

Budget 2006: Auckland transport a budget winner

Budget 2006: Securing our energy future

Protecting workers from hazardous substances

BUDGET 2006 PREVIEWS

PRE BUDGET 2006 GOVT. ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRE BUDGET GOVERNMENT RELEASES:
Taxation: Dunne Turns Down Heat on Overseas Capital Gains - The Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne, announced today, that after listening carefully to public submissions, the Government will bring in an amendment to the Tax Bill introduced into Parliament today, with the intention of calming ill-founded fears among New Zealanders with overseas investments in companies such as the Guinness Peat Group. See... Amendment to 2006 Tax Bill

Police: Government Moves To Thicken The 'Thin Blue Line' - The Government has committed a total of $164.3 million in operating costs and $52.3 million in capital costs over the next four years for the first tranche of the 1000 frontline sworn police and 250 non-sworn police promised under its confidence and supply agreement with New Zealand First. See... 1250 new police will reach $500 million
ALSO:

NZ First - NZ First Welcomes $500 Million For Police

National - Labour must first rebuild confidence in police

NZ Police - Initiative To Increase Police Response Capability

Police Assn - Increased Funding A Welcome Necessity

Budget: Money for Buy Kiwi Made Campaign - Funding of $11.5 million will be made available over the next three years to fund a Buy Kiwi-Made programme, Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard and Government Spokesperson for Buy Kiwi-Made Sue Bradford announced today. The Buy Kiwi-Made programme was part of the post election cooperation agreement between the Government and the Green Party. See... http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00319.htm
ALSO:

ACT - Taxpayers Foot The Bill To Buy Kiwi Made

National Distribution Union - Buy Kiwi-Made will make a real difference

Council of Trade Unions - Consider the Many Benefits of Buying Kiwi Made

Clothing, Laundry and Allied Workers Union - Government Support for Manufacturing Praised

OTHER BUDGET NEWS:

NZ Govt - New funding to plan fisheries management

Business Roundtable - Budget Should Address Sagging Growth Rate

Internet: Budget Surprise Comes Early – Local Loop To Be Unbundled - New Zealanders can look forward to faster, better broadband Internet services thanks to the comprehensive telecommunications package announced today. Today's package includes: • Requiring the unbundling of the local loop and sub-loop copper-wire lines between telephone exchanges and homes and businesses, allowing other Internet Service Providers to compete fully with Telecom to provide faster, cheaper broadband. See... NZ'ers can look forward to faster broadband
REACTION:

ISPANZ - ISPANZ over the moon with govt broadband decision

Russell Brown - Public Address 04/05/06 - It's All On - Eventually

Telecom - A Lost Opportunity For New Zealand

National - Maurice Williamson Talks Local Loop Unbundling

Orcon - Fight for good LLU starts now, don't forget rural

Green Party - Government move on Telecom welcomed

ACT - Telecom Regulation "Big Step Backwards"

TelstraClear - Great decision Minister

Orcon - Orcon believes $10 broadband viable with LLU

InternetNZ - InternetNZ welcomes excellent government decisions

Business NZ - Investment will be the judge of unbundling

ihug - Handbrake Comes Off NZ Broadband

Business Roundtable - Telecomm's Decision Damaging to Investment, Growth

InternetNZ - Dispelling the Myths in Telco Regulation

NZ First - NZ First Welcomes Telecom Competition

Alliance Party - Govt does not go far enough with "unbundling"

NHNZ - NHNZ Welcomes Changes to Telecommunications Rules

Aucland City Council - Unbundling a positive move for city’s economy

Local Government NZ - Cheaper, faster broadband good news

Auckland City Council - Fast broadband access for all by 2010

AUT - Internet expert to visit New Zealand

Budget: The Predictions - For many, Budget time means just another list of new services and funding from Finance Minister Dr Michael Cullen, announcements which mean nothing to ordinary people. However, the Government is committed to creating and supporting a better future for all New Zealanders. David Coates, Rakaia’s Labour spokesman and resident of Darfield, says, “Budget 2006 will affect the citizens of the Selwyn and Ashburton Districts in many positive ways.”
See…What’s in Budget 2006 for you?
ALSO:
Parliament Audio: You can click here to listen to Live Audio from Parliament.

NZCTU - Lifting Wages a Far Higher Priority than Tax Cuts

Green Party - Greens look to overseas aid budget increase

Ernst and Young - No Tax Cuts This Year

AUS - More investment needed for universities

Roading New Zealand - Roading expected to benefit from budget 2006

Maori Party - Sharples: The Genuine Progress Index

Scoop Audio: Selwyn Manning and Simon Pound discuss the 2006 Budget