Scoop's Budget 2007 Coverage
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For the latest headlines and reaction see..
PARLIAMENT WIRE..., POLITICS WIRE..., BUSINESS WIRE..., EDUCATION WIRE..., HEALTH WIRE...
BUDGET 2007 - SCOOP COVERAGE & COMMENTARYBudget 2007: Images and Audio From Inside The Lock-Up
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Sludge Report: Save Some - GET MORE!!!
This morning in the wake of such comprehensive signaling of what to expect the pre-lockup working title of the Budget 2007 commentary had been "no surprises". Afterall we knew he was going to lower the company tax rate and grant savings incentives. But after a few hours locked up with what seems to be an alarming number of media and economists the conclusion has to be that this budget is significantly more interesting than expected. And lots of the interesting stuff is in the detail.
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Keith Rankin: NZ's 2007 Budget and the Overvalued Dollar - One of the biggest questions that arises from this budget is what impact, if any, will it have on our number one economic problem in 2007, the chronically overvalued exchange rate. The Budget had no impact on the exchange rate on Budget Day (17 May). ... See...
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Molesworth & Featherston: Budget 2007 May Surprise - Michael Cullen has unveiled a budget more substantial and containing more surprises than anyone guessed. See...
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Transtasman Political Letter - Budget Special - Obscure MP quits his party, shakes the Govt, but Clark says it's business as usual... Cullen's eighth budget could be economically brilliant and politically cunning, but will it impress the punters?... Public disquiet on policing and justice systems ... See...
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Scoop Satire: Budget Crisis - Lack of Nickname - Concern is mounting in political and media circles that Michael Cullen's latest budget may not receive a proper nickname. This puts media coverage of an important economic issue in jeopardy and raises the terrifying possibility that no part of the Government's spending programme for the next twelve months will be able to be summed up with throwaway catchphrases.
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Employers: Poll Says Business backs Budget - The first poll of business decision makers on last week's Budget shows the majority support moves to require employers to match staff contributions to KiwiSaver. They also support the new 10 cents a litre regional fuel tax, and don't favour immediate personal tax cuts, specially if they lift interest rates. However, they don't think it will close the gap between personal incomes in Australia and New Zealand.
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State Of It: Cullen's Burden - Budget 2007
Scoop co-editor Selwyn Manning writes: The burden Michael Cullen carries into Budget 07 is the dilemma: how to deliver to Labour's historical constituency at a time when political pragmatism insists Labour must seduce center/centre-right voters. That burden has now caused much debate within the Labour Party, factions are dividing, and its angst is showing in the polls. The New Zealand Labour Party now faces the same conundrum that the Australia Labor Party (ALP) faced under the Beazly and Latham leaderships: how to win back support from those who have benefited from past Labour policies but who now demand centre-right economic policies as an assurance their wealth will continue to grow.
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Also Pre-Budget Analysis:
- (95bFM Audio): The Wire Cullen's Burden: Paul Deady and Scoop's Selwyn Manning discuss why Michael Cullen is being laden with this Budget 07 burden. Really, should we demand tax cuts? What's it all about then?
Pre-Budget Wobbles: UF Lose MP Who Played 'Cat and Mouse Game' In a stage-managed exit United Future MP Gordon Copeland announced he was resigning from his party today but would be staying on in Parliament as an independent MP.
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BUDGET 2007: HEADLINES
RELATED LINKS:For the full text (when released) of the budget see...
TREASURY BUDGET 2007 WEBSITE
See also the
BEEHIVE BUDGET PAGE
For previous budgets see...
BUDGET 2006 -
BUDGET 2005 -
BUDGET 2004 -
BUDGET 2003 -
BUDGET 2002 -
BUDGET 2001 &
BUDGET 2000
BUDGET 2007 - POST BUDGET DAY DEVELOPMENTS
BUDGET 2007 - THE REACTION - FULL COVERAGE
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Budget Reaction: Poll: Public Verdict Firms On Budget Measures
A rolling nationwide poll shows New Zealanders' verdict on the Budget is firming, with 64% support for company tax cuts and 77% support for KiwiSaver tax credits. These are among the results of a nationally representative online poll being conducted by the independent ShapeNZ panel. The results cover 629 respondents at 5.33am today. Results are weighted by age, gender, personal income and party vote in 2005, and are accurate to within plus or minus 2%. The second interim snapshot shows public opinion firming: 64% agree with the move to cut the company tax rate from 33 to 30%
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BUDGET DEBATE SPEECHES - AS PREPARED
NZ Govt - Cullen: Budget SpeechNZ Govt - PM: A sustainable future for New ZealandMaori Party - Sharples: Budget SpeechMaori Party - Flavell: The Budget; The Treaty and ReconciliationACT - Rodney Hide: Speech in reply to the Budget 2007Budget 2007 Speech - Jeanette FitzsimonsPeters' speech in response to Budget 2007
SELECTED BUDGET DEBATE SPEECHES- AUDIO AS DELIVERED
Parliamentary Reaction:
LabourBudget 07 recognises vital role of NZ's "Backbone"Young Labour - Future is secure and fruitful under LabourLevy combats harm from problem gamblingNZ Govt - Clark: Akld Chamber of Commerce Post-BudgetNZ Govt - Cullen: The right Budget for these timesNZ Govt - Up to 150km to be added to Te Araroa WalkwayNZ Govt - Budget invests in young New ZealandersBudget 2007 â dealing with today and tomorrowNZ Govt - New funding to step up fight against tobacco
NationalNational - Money-go-round Budget fails to deliverNational - Carbon neutrality â where is it?National - Labour tackles crime by building lavish courthouseGovt spending keeps interest higher for longerNational - Money-go-round Budget fails to deliverNational - Key Notes: Labour's Money-go-round BudgetNational - Labour adopts Nationalâs charities policyNational - Tax on petrol so Cullen can keep spendingNational - More smoke and mirrors over â20 hours freeâNational - Pansy Speak: More surpluses - more taxesNational - www.mccully.co.nz - 25 May 2007National - NewsWorthy: The aftermath of the budget
Progressive PartyProgressive Party - Progressive Party bids do well in Budget 2007Budget provides a boost for primary industriesRobson-on-Politics: Budget 2007 Special
GreensGreen Party - Teensy-weensy steps towards sustainabilityCullen buckles on ethical investment guidelines
The Maori PartyTuria - Taxation BillFlavell - Taxation Bill
NZ FirstNZ First - Peters Welcomes Progress on SavingsNZ First - Mark Urges Caution On Youth Offending FundingNZ First - Business Tax Cut And R&D Spending A Boost NZ First Imprint On Budget ClearNZ First Delivers Healthcare For Young KiwisNZ First Secures Funding Increase In EldercareMaori Wardens Funding BreakthroughNational Needs to Come Clean Over Kiwisaver
ACTHeather Roy's Diary
United FutureUnited Future - United Future's Budget triumphsUnited Future - Budget Comments United Future - Turner: Students still treated as ChildrenDeer, chamois, tahr and pigs get $200 000United Future Budget CommentsTurner: Students still treated as ChildrenImmediate payoff for Budget charities moveDunne: Not-for-Profit Special Interest Group
NZ Government (Reaction To Reaction)Key wrong on KiwiSaverMÄori Party Should Come Clean on the BudgetRegional fuel taxes will benefit all road usersNational votes against KiwiSaver
Non Parliamentary Political Reaction:Retirement Commissioner - KiwiSaver now an easier choice says CommissionerUniversity of Auckland - Changes to KiwiSaver unfortunateDemocrats for Social Credit - Cullenâs eighth blunder of the worldwww.republicans.org.nz - Budget Squanders our Economic Potential.Waitangi Tribunal - A substantial funding increase for the TribunalNZ Council of Christian Social Services - Bureaucracies may undermine Budget intentInstitute of Public Policy - Institute applauds charitable tax review
Health Sector Reaction:
NZMA - Health Given Low Priority In BudgetAccess To Medicines NGO - Budget disappointing for medicines accessMental Health Commission - Commission welcomes primary health care fundingCancer Society - Budget welcomed, but not enough has been done
Education Sector Reaction:
NZEI - Increased Funding For Education Good PPTA - PPTA on Budget 2007: A tick and two crosses AUS - AUS Tertiary Update, 17 May 2007Vice Chancellors' Committee - Budget: No Surprises For UniversitiesIndustry Training Fed - Industry training investment out of step NZ Childcare Association - Funding increases for early childhood educationNZ School Trustees Association - Some relief for schools funding â but no rejoicingKindergartens Inc - Kindergarten Welcomes Free Funding IncreaseAuckland University Students Association - Auckland students welcome modest Budget crumbsNew Zealand University Student's Association - Student Debt Funds Budget SurplusNew Zealand Principals' Federation - Budget â07: Where is the Rest?
Union Reaction:
CTU - Budget 2007: Making the Kiwi FlyFinsec - Banks some of the biggest beneficiariesPublic Service Association - PSA Welcomes Compulsory Employer ContributionsNew Zealand Council of Trade Unions - Investment Budget, But Employers Need To Invest ToEngineering Printing and Manufacturing Union - EPMU welcomes incomes-boosting budgetCouncil of Trade Unions - Industrial Strife? Pull The Other One!Council of Trade Unions - Union support for Kiwisaver overwhelmingPublic Service Association - Disabled Support Funding Needs To Go To Caregivers
Business Sector Reaction:
Scoop News: Employers Say Cullen Gives With One Hand... - Businesses will not benefit from the 2007 budget as the Government gives with one hand and takes with the other. The Government was praised for the business tax reductions outlined in the budget. However the employer contributions for the KiwiSaver scheme, which is compulsory for employers to offer, will in effect cost companies more than the tax cut received.
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NZBR - How to Future-Proof New ZealandNZBR - NZBR: How to Future-Proof New ZealandNZBR - Focus on Productivity and Growth Missing in BudgetFederated Farmers - Budget 2007 A Mixed BagEMA - Business $1 billion worse offAuckland Chamber of Commerce - A Budget for the Long Term⦠Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Transport â Another Step ForwardSBN - Commitment To Business Sustainability WelcomedNZ Bio - NZBio welcomes R&D tax incentives Fundraising Institute - Government nurtures generosityBusiness NZ - Tax cut great but some big negativesAuckland Chamber of Commerce - Research And Development Boost â Badly Needed Auckland Chamber of Commerce - SMES And Low Earners Miss Out? Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Business Tax Reform â Long Overdue Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce - Tax Reform is Welcome but More NeededIPENZ Engineers - Budget will heighten skilled engineer shortages Debt Management Office - Governmentâs domestic debt programme for 2007/08 AnnouncedNZCID - Budget's transport package is an investment AA - Fuel Tax Commitment Great News For MotoristsARTA - 21st century public transport for AucklandSustainable Living - Sustainable Living In NZ Just Got EasierRNZ - Radio New Zealand Budget FundingREINZ - REINZ Urges Government To Cut Taxes Fonterra - Increase In Research Funding Welcome CMA - Budget 2007 â too little, and maybe too late NZFVWO - Budget a triumph for sector advocacyAssn CRI - Creating an R&D cultureBNZ Weekly - BNZ Weekly Overview: Budget EditionING NZ Ltd - Budget increases attractiveness of savingsMercer - Mercer Welcomes Budget Boost To KiwisaverStaples Rodway - Tougher action of property speculation questionedPricewaterhouseCoopers - PriceWaterHouseCoopers Budget 2007 Tax AnalysisCPA Australia - CPA Australia rates Budget as positive overallPricewaterhouseCoopers - PricewaterhouseCoopers on The 2007 BudgetDeloitte - Research & Development Tax Credits Get Go-AheadExport New Zealand - Slim pickings for exporters in 2007 BudgetChapman Tripp - Budget tax amendment unconstitutionalWellington Chamber Of Commerce - WCOC: Comments to Dr Michael CullenTower - We do take responsibility for our KiwiSaversFederated Farmers - Farmers Opposed to Subsidising Public TransportBusiness New Zealand - KiwiSaver rules could bring more industrial actionWellington Regional Chamber of Commerce - Regional Fuel Tax must not Slow ProgressBNZ - BNZ Weekly Overview - May 24 2007
Local Government Reaction:
Auckland City Council - Mayor says it's a momentous day for Auckland North Shore City Council - PT-tagged fuel levy is FAB for Shore Manukau City Council - Budget 2007: Electrification a big step forwardTrevor Crosbie - Cullen Fails Future GenerationsNo More Rates - New fuel tax adds to increased costsLocal Government NZ - Regional fuel tax first step, more assistance reqdAssociation of Rationalists and Humanists - Taxpayers subsidise churches
Other Reaction
World Vision - NZ's largest aid agency applauds budget move Unicef - Parlt Congratulated for Putting Children FirstPhilanthropy New Zealand - Government encourages generosityFamily First Lobby - Budget Offers No Assistance to Family BudgetAge Concern - More funding for older peoples' services welcomeAge Concern - Budget leaves some elder abuse victims unsupportedRepublic Of NZ Party - Contempt of the People of New ZealandRepublic of NZ Party - Not a Representative HouseSalvation Army - Budget 2007: Sallies welcome charitable givingComVoices - Removal of Cap on Giving is a Bold MoveCommissioner For Children - Commissioner wants more integrated investmentGambling Helpline - Certainty from Problem Gambling Levy RegulationsVolunteering New Zealand - Improvements to tax treatment for volunteersSOIL and HEALTH Assn of NZ - Dinosaurs Must Stop Robbing Sustainability BudgetsTe Putahi Paho - Extra funding for MÄori TV, Radio WelcomedCoastguard - Govt not interested in keeping Coastguard AfloatInstitute of Public Policy - Institute of Public Policy applauds tax review
BUDGET 2007 - THE PRESS KIT
(Note see also pre-budget announcements below)
The Budget Speech
Cullen: Budget Speech
Coalition Leaders' Statements
NZ First - Peters Welcomes Progress on SavingsUnited Future - United Future's Budget triumphs
SUMMARY SHEETS
Budget 2007: Executive Summary
EconomyBudget 2007: Saving and investingBudget 2007: Investing in sustainable businessBusiness Tax Reform - Fact SheetsBusiness Tax Reform - int'l tax fact sheetCompany tax rate change - Q And A$3.4 billion for investment and innovationBudget 2007: International tax review - Q&AsEncouraging a more skilled workforceSUMMARY: Investment leadership sustainabilityBudget 2007: $40 a week to support savingBudget 2007: KiwiSaver - General Q&ABudget 2007: Employers - Fact SheetBudget 2007: Savers - Fact sheetBudget 2007: Savings tax rate - Q&ABudget 2007: Snapshot of KiwiSaver
EducationBudget 2007: Funding boost for kÅhanga reoBudget 2007: Supporting tertiary studentsBudget 2007: Tertiary sector primed for futureBudget 2007: Extra teachers & schools
WelfareOlder New Zealanders secure big gainsFact Sheet: Providers of superannuation schemes
HealthImproving health outcomes for MÄoriBudget 2007: Funding to expand drug buyingBudget 2007: Healthy confident young KiwisBudget 2007: Focus on healthy active lifestyles
HousingHelping Kiwi households towards sustainabilityFirst steps towards shared equity schemeSupport for successful housing programmesBudget 2007: Action on property speculationBudget 2007: Warmer, healthier homes investment
Law, Order & SecurityBudget 2007: Supreme Court addition to NZ heritage
Research, Growth And Innovation FrameworkBudget 2007: Big research investment to transformBudget 2007 Summary: Economic TransformationBudget 2007: R&D tax credit Q&A
Art, Culture And SportBudget 2007: New Zealand Poet Laureate AwardNationhood celebrated via film, music & heritageBudget 2007: Boost for public broadcastingFostering a culture of charitable givingBudget 2007 SUMMARY: National IdentityBudget 2007: Natlib. digital content expansionBudget 2007: Investing in our storiesBudget 2007: Funding support for digital archives
Trade and Foreign AffairsBudget 2007: Supporting firms in offshore marketsBudget 2007: Boost for NZs international presence
Other Stuff - Maori, State Sector, Local GovtBudget 2007: Funding for transport improvementsBudget 2007: Driving land transport investmentBudget 2007: Strong families a top priorityPromoting strong community relationshipsSupport for vital conservation workBudget 2007: Investing in a sustainable futureBudget 2007: Towards a sustainable rail networkBudget 2007: Families, Young and Old - SummaryBudget 2007: Promoting healthy NZ familiesBudget 07: Extra funding to support MÄori wardensBudget 2007: Safeguarding whÄnauBudget 07: Waitangi Tribunal gets funding increase
BUDGET 2006 PREVIEWS
PRE BUDGET 2006 GOVT. ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRE BUDGET GOVERNMENT RELEASES:
Financial Statements of the Govt to 31 March 2007
Budget: Peters announces major increase in aid - Significant aid increases in Budget 2007 will allow New Zealand to rapidly redress its low level of overseas aid relative to other OECD donors, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said today. See...
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Budget 2007 Money To Remodel Cape Reinga - One of New Zealand's premier visitor destinations, Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua), in the Far North, is to get a $6.5 million government-funded make over as part of Budget 2007. "Located a the very tip of New Zealand where the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea meets, Cape Reinga is home to some of New Zealand's rarest plants and animals.
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Racing: Safety fund, wider write-down rules for racing - An annual $1 million fund to improve racecourse facilities, and an extension of the accelerated bloodstock write-down rules are included in Budget 2007, Racing Minister Winston Peters announced today. See...
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Tertiary: $129 Million For Universities - Universities are to receive an extra $129 million over the next four years to ensure they can deliver high quality and relevant training that meets our economic and social priorities, Tertiary Education Minister Dr Michael Cullen announced today. "The funding will support the new investing in a plan approach that seeks to ensure universities and other tertiary education organisations are equipped to meet the needs of all stakeholders - students, business, communities and taxpayers," said Dr Cullen.
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Tourism: New tourism funding for Chinese market - Tourism Minister Damien OâConnor has announced significant funding for Tourism New Zealand to manage and increase marketing activities in China, and for improvements to the administration of the China Approved Destination Status (ADS). See...
Budget 07: New tourism funding for Chinese market
Environment: Budget funds to combat hill country erosion - Budget 2007 has set aside $10 million over the next four years to fund a Sustainable Land Management (Hill Country Erosion) Framework, Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton announced today. See...
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Health: Largest-ever investment in health of older people - The largest-ever investment in care and support of the elderly will see $150 million over four years invested in residential care and another $81.2 million in helping them stay in their own homes if they wish, Health Minister Pete Hodgson says.
Largest-ever investment in health of older people