Scoop  Features  New Zealand Goverment Budget 2010 Full Coverage

Full Scoop Coverage: Budget 2010

Budget 2010 - Scoop Full Coverage

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


BUDGET 2010: HEADLINES


RELATED LINKS:For the full text (when released) of the budget see...
TREASURY BUDGET 2010 WEBSITE
See also the BEEHIVE BUDGET PAGE
and TAXGUIDE.GOVT.NZ - Will inculde tax calculator

For previous budgets see...
BUDGET 2009 - BUDGET 2008 - BUDGET 2007 - BUDGET 2007 - BUDGET 2006 - BUDGET 2005 - BUDGET 2004 - BUDGET 2003 - BUDGET 2002 - BUDGET 2001 & BUDGET 2000


BUDGET 2010 - SCOOP COMMENTARY

Q+A On The Budget: English On Floated Floatings

- English says part-floating SOEs "may or may not work", refuses to support idea of part-selling state assets - Wants New Zealanders' money "back into investment", not "sitting in the bank when it could be creating jobs" - The gap between rich and poor matters to the government and got "quite a bit of attention" in planning, but remains "about the same" after the Budget More>>

ALSO:

• Television NZ - Q+A's Paul Holmes Interviews Maurice Williamson
• Television NZ - Panel Discussions Led By Paul Holmes
• Scoop Audio - Radio Adelaide: Budget A New Phase For NZ Economy
• The Dim-Post Out-Link - Quote of the day [English on asset sales] - The Finance Minister clears things up a bit

Scoop Business: Finely Balanced Tax Package Depends On Growth

Personal and company tax cuts announced in the Budget today will cost more than the GST increase and clampdowns on tax dodges until 2013/14, and will only ever be fiscally neutral as long as the economy grows as strongly as the Treasury forecasts. More>>

ALSO:

• Scoop Business - "Bold, radical" Budget say tax experts
• Scoop Business - Recovery gives NZ tailwind to rebalance economy
• Scoop Business - Biggest tax package in a generation
• Scoop Business - Depreciation write-offs: here today, gone tomorrow
• Scoop Business - Govt closes loophole and aligns LAQC tax rates
• Scoop Business - Tax on savings vehicles cut to 28%
• Scoop Business - NZ budget won't undermine credit rating: S&P
• Scoop Business - NZ trims debt sales plan as fiscal outlook lifts
• Scoop Business - Indexation loss tightens screws on WFF
• Scoop Business - Kiwi slides as Europe fears overshadow Budget
• Scoop Business - NZ tax overhaul set to fuel inflation spike
• Tom Frewen - Today In Parliament 20.05.10
• Tom Frewen - The Week In Parliament 21.05.10
• TV3 Video - Depreciation changes will 'mildly' impact rents - English - Reactions to the budget announcement - Funding for Maori prison units in budget - Mother says budget will make life harder - Budget 2010: Tax changes a double edged sword - What the budget means for the property market and investors - PM John Key on the Budget - Budget changes hard for some to swallow - Can't focus on just the top income earners - English

Scoop Business: SMELLIE BRIEFLY SNIFFS: A Successful Budget

Just when he was up to his neck in a Tuhoe cooking pot, the Prime Minister's Budget has changed the political conversation, drawing words like "bold" and "radical" from, gasp, the business community, which keeps harping on about the whole "boldness" thing. More>>

ALSO:

• Scoop Business - SMELLIE SNIFFS THE BREEZE:How Labour might respond

Sludge Report #192: The Naked Budget

Finance Minister Bill English's second budget is an exercise in minimalism in everything but tax. And in that respect the changes announced today have been so well flagged that there is little news today besides the sweeping income tax cuts which will take effect from 1 October. Tax cuts for all!

Business tax too will drop from 33% to 28% come 1 April 2011 - coming in comfortably two years ahead of similar company tax cuts across the ditch.

Balancing the income tax cuts is the expected rise in GST to 15%. The Government expects this to only result in a modest 2% increase in CPI inflation and it will compensate beneficiaries and super-annuitants with an across the board 2.02% increase in payments. More>>

Trans Tasman: Budget Special 2010 In the biggest reform of the NZ tax system in 25 years, Bill English has cut income tax rates, raised GST to 15%, and cut company tax to 28%. Kiwis on the average wage will be about $15 a week better off , and an average family about $25 a week better off. More>>

ALSO:

• Public Address - Public Address 21/05/10 - Lost on Budget Island
• Public Address Out-Link - OnPoint: Budget 2010: What'd you expect?
• Public Address Out-Link - Hard News: Chicken Soup
• No Right Turn Out-Link - Who benefits from National's tax cuts?
• Pundit.co.nz Out-Link - Budget 2010: Solid, Sensible - but Sustainable?

Gordon Campbell: On The Trade-Offs In The Budget

Raising the level of GST - which will hit those on low incomes the hardest - and offering in compensation a package of tax cuts that will reward those on high incomes the most, is a very strange definition of fairness. Yet fairness and virtue have been central to the spin on Budget 2010.

Finance Minister Bill English has been at pains to present his Budget 2010 package as being all good things to all good people - an elixir that will contain a reward for effort, be motivational to all and fair to everyone. More>>

ALSO:

• Media Darlings Link - It's The Economy, But Stupid: Bizarre Budget PR

• Audio + Images: Budget Lockup Press Conference

The Weekly Coitus Link: Rich Get Vital "Hand Up" In Budget

Many financially well-off New Zealanders struggling to pay for expensive new shit will soon have crucial assistance from the National government's drastic tax cuts. More>>


Tendering Any? $4.8 Million For... Who?

New funding announced by the government will help to focus attention on priorities for Pacific people, says the head of the Pacific Economic Development Agency, JR Pereira. More>>

ALSO:

• Labour - Transparency needed around Pacific Island funding
• PacificEyeWitness.com Out-Link - NZ Budget 2010 Pacific: Who is Pacific Economic Development Agency Ltd?
• PacificEyeWitness.com Out-Link - Pacific Radio Host Questions MP on Pacific Economic Development 'Agency'
• PacificEyeWitness.com Out-Link - NZ Budget 2010: Documents Download
• Public Address Out-Link - Hard News: Chicken Soup

BUDGET 2010 - THE REACTION - FULL COVERAGE

BUDGET DEBATE SPEECHES - AS PREPARED

• Greens - Dr Russel Norman: Budget Speech
• Maori Party - Budget 2010 - Maori Party
• Progressive Party - Let Them Eat Cake!
• ACT - Hon Rodney Hide, ACT Leader,Budget Speech 2010

Parliamentary Reaction:

National

• NZ Govt - Key: Post-Budget speech to Trans-Tasman Business Circle
• NZ Govt - $10m extra for National War Memorial park
• NZ Govt - $5.5 million to ensure future of cultural heritage
• NZ Govt - Government protects Health's spending power
• NZ Govt - Budget delivers for ethnic communities
• NZ Govt - Government Provides More Animal Welfare Funding
• NZ Govt - Insulation quality improving, but not good enough
• NZ Govt - Budget good news for superannuitants
• National - Improving the lives of all New Zealanders

Labour

• Labour - John Key's tax swindle
• Labour - Tax swindle Budget a backwards step
• Labour - Maori are worse off after Budget swindle
• Labour - Tertiary education is the big loser in the budget
• Labour - 2010 Budget means record health cuts
• Labour - Parents hit with huge extra costs
• Labour - Unemployed the unspoken losers in the Budget
• Labour - Budget misses opportunity to help Selwyn families
• Labour - Dunedin parents will be hit by ECE changes
• Labour - National Government Fails Housing In Budget
• Labour - Schools Funding Fails To Match Inflation
• Labour - Agriculture misses out in Budget
• Labour - National lining up asset sales to pay for tax cuts
• Labour - Parents to pay up to $60 a week more for ECE
• Labour - Tobacco Tax was just another swindle
• Labour - Budget misses chance to help Kiwi-Asian families
• Labour - Super Fund fears reinforced

Progressive Party

• Progressive Party - Let Them Eat Cake!

Greens

• Greens - Key's triple deficit Budget
• Greens - Essentially a cut for tertiary education
• Greens - State housing slashed as rents forecast to rise
• Greens - Organics are the future, but fund-less
• Greens - Time to come clean on gutting state housing

The Maori Party

• Maori Party - Just the beginning - here for the long term
• Maori Party - $100 million: Support to live their own lives
• Maori Party - $9 million: Support for Maori business
• Maori Party - $19.8 million: Restorative approach to offending
• NZ Govt - Tariana Turia - Human Rights Commission
• Maori Party - Katene: Taxation (Budget Measures) Bill 2010)
• Turia: Maori Party - Taxation (Budget Measures) Bill

ACT

• ACT - GST Increase Unnecessary
• ACT - Tax Rates: Must Try Harder
• ACT - Debt Problems on Horizon
• ACT - Budget Gains Mean Nothing Under ETS
• ACT - Government Expenditure Still Out of Control
• ACT - Act's Campaign Against The ETS Continues
• ACT - Heather Roy: Budget 2010

United Future

• NZ Govt - Dunne: Budget Tax Bill introduced
• NZ Govt - Advisory Panel to assist with GST change

Non Parliamentary Political Reaction:

• NZ Alliance Party - National's budget "blueprint for social breakdown"
• Socialist Worker - Tax justice campaign launched nationwide
• Family First - ETS Will Cancel Benefit of Budget to Families
• The Kiwi Party - GST Increase Disastrous for First Home Buyers
• Age Concern - Older people's big 4 concerns addressed in Budget
• NZIER - Positive, but misses the boat
• Young Labour - Young Labour suggests budget does great disservice
• Fiji Club Of NZ - Budget Decimates the Workers
• Business Council for Sustainable Development - Poll: support for Budget capital investment plans
• Business Council for Sustainable Development - Twice as many approve of Budget than disapprove
• Business Council for Sustainable Development - Landlords like Budget, but expect to raise rents

Health Sector Reaction:

• NZ Medical Association - Budget a Mixed Bag - NZMA
• Medical Technology Association of NZ - Squeezing the health dollar need not hurt patients
• Public Health Association - PHA calls for govt to remove GST from healthy food
• Miranda Smith Homecare - Budget confirms elderly must save for future
• DPA NZ - Budget Creates Opportunities For Disabled People
• Health Care Aotearoa - Proof Of Budget Will Be In "Front-Line Servicesâ€

Education Sector Reaction:

• Tertiary Education Union - Austere Budget Limits Student Learning Potential
• Auckland University Students Association - Fee changes see Auckland students worse off
• NZEI - Budget Launches Attack on Quality Teaching
• NZ Union of Students' Associations - Lost opportunity for a real 'stepchange'
• NZ Childcare Association - ECE budget brutal blow to children and families
• Industry Training Federation of NZ - Budget shows commitment to training
• NZ Kindergartens - Children Lose Out in Budget Cutbacks
• Vice Chancellors' Committee - Budget does little to enhance universities
• Early Childhood Council - Support For Budget From Early Childhood Sector
• SANITI - Students left out in the cold by budget
• PORSE - New ECE guidelines supported by sector leader
• PPTA - 2010 Budget: Staffing threat withdrawn but no real
• The Secondary Principals' Council of NZ - Funding freeze on core utilities for schools
• NZEI - "Please Explain†Over Drastic Budget Cuts
• Montessori Assn of NZ - Budget 2010 And Montessori Education
• NZEI - Govt Should Come Clean on Real Costs of ECE Cuts

Union Reaction:

• CTU - Tax cuts won't lessen lure of Australia
• Maritime Union of NZ - National budget an attack on working class
• Finsec - Budget Takes From The Poor - Gives To The Rich
• CTU - Budget fundamentally unfair
• Public Service Association - Budget serves another kick to New Zealanders' public services
• Kai Mahi Council of Trade Unions - Turia rewrites history
CTU: Nasty Surprises Revealed In Budget These include: Allowing employers using the Job Opportunities subsidy to dismiss workers in the first 3 months with no appeal rights - Removing the tax rebate on redundancy pay - Slashing employment relations education funding. More>>

Finance Sector Reaction:

• Deloitte - Four months not long to prepare for GST rate rise
• KPMG - Less Dollars and More Sense Good for New Zealand
• Chapman Tripp - Casey Plunket: Government delivers a bold budget
• Institute of Chartered Accountants - The "Back to the Past†Budget
• KPMG - GST hike rushed
• Deloitte - Focusing on growth only way to deal with dead rats
• KPMG - R&D grants for business - a new direction
• KPMG - Seizing the tax policy tiger
• JP Morgan - New Zealanders to get significant tax cuts
• NZ Property Investors Federation - Government listens to the facts
• KPMG - Property tax changes - a mixed bag

Other Business Sector Reaction:

• Food and Grocery Council - Food and grocery sector welcomes Budget
• Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Tax Changes Increase Choice
• Milestone Homes - Budget comment
• Newmarket Business Association - Timing of GST increase 'bad' says poll of retailer
• Community Gaming Association - Increase in GST means less available for community
• Employers And Manufacturers Association - Fairest Budget for many years
• Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce - Budget Delivers a Framework for Growth
• Jennian Homes - Budget comment: Richard Carver
• Business NZ - Budget move towards higher-earning economy
• Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Property Tax Change Behaviour
• Industry Training Federation of NZ - Budget shows commitment to training
• Meat And Wool NZ - R&D investment driving sector gains
• NZ Business Roundtable - Sound Steps But No Step Change in Budget
• Tourism Industry Association - GST creates challenges for tourism operators
• Real Estate Institute Of NZ - Tax Changes will have limited impact on property
• Manufacturers and Exporters Association - Rhetoric does not match the reality
• Federated Farmers - Great tax incentives but little more for Agribiz
• Bayley's Real Estate - Higher rents forecast as Budget alters tax rebate
• Tait Radio Communications - Company Gives NZ Government R & D Boost Thumbs Up
• NZ Business Roundtable - Sound Steps But No Step Change in Budget

Other Reaction

• Greenpeace NZ - Greenpeace Budget Response
• Retirement Commissioner - Making the most out of Budget 2010
• NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations - Social Sector Transformation Part of the Answer
• NZ Republican Movement - Governor-General more expensive
• Oxfam NZ - NZ Falls Further Behind In Its Overseas Aid Budget
• Every Child Counts - Lost opportunity to address child poverty

BUDGET 2010 - THE PRESS KIT
(Note see also pre-budget announcements below)

The Budget Speech

Coalition Leaders' Statements

SUMMARY SHEETS

Budget 2010: Govt's Budget Summary

- Delivers the biggest reform of the New Zealand tax system for nearly 25 years, typically leaving someone on the average wage about $15 a week better off and an average family about $25 a week better off.
- Strongly supports research, science and technology - a key engine for a faster growing economy - with $321 million over four years.
- Provides an extra $2.1 billion for frontline health priorities over the next four years - including an extra $512 million in 2010/11.
- Invests an extra $1.4 billion into better schooling and early childhood education over four years - including an extra $417 million in 2010/11.
- Takes more steps to control rising debt and returns the Government to surplus by 2016 - three years sooner than in Budget 2009. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - 2010 Budget Fact Sheets

Economy

• NZ Govt - Key: Budget 2010 about opportunity for Kiwis
• NZ Govt - Tax cuts strengthen economy and help families
• NZ Govt - Property tax changes increase fairness
• NZ Govt - Budget builds on recovery, helps families
• NZ Govt - Budget frees up $1.8 billion for higher priorities
• NZ Govt - Budget prioritises primary sector investment
• NZ Govt - Multi-billion dollar investment in infrastructure
• NZ Govt - Funding confirmed for Productivity Commission

Education

• NZ Govt - Schools get extra $156m over next four years
• NZ Govt - Extra ECE spending, targeting families in need
• NZ Govt - Extra ECE spending, targeting families in need
• NZ Govt - More tertiary student places, focus on success
• NZ Govt - Student support reforms will boost performance

Welfare

• NZ Govt - Extra ECE spending, targeting families in need
• NZ Govt - Job Ops and Employment Assistance extended
• NZ Govt - New $90.5m fund for social sector transformation
• NZ Govt - Student support reforms will boost performance

Health

• NZ Govt - Budget delivers over $2 billion extra for health
• NZ Govt - $93 million more for disability support services
• NZ Govt - $24 million for Capital and Coast DHB in Budget
• NZ Govt - $11 million for Hutt Valley DHB in Budget 2010

Housing

• NZ Govt - Property tax changes increase fairness
• NZ Govt - Hot demand for Government insulation scheme
• NZ Govt - Government extends community housing fund

Law, Order & Security

• NZ Govt - Govt honours commitment to fund extra Police
• NZ Govt - More Budget funding for community law centres
• NZ Govt - An extra $35 million a year for new Defence costs
• NZ Govt - Whare Oranga Ake will help cut reoffending
• NZ Govt - New border management system, better security

Research, Growth And Innovation Framework

• NZ Govt - Budget supports MÄ ori business and innovation
• NZ Govt - Boost for science to help faster economic growth
• NZ Govt - Budget funds fast broadband for faster growth

Art, Culture And Sport

• NZ Govt - DoC to develop cycleways and camp grounds

Trade and Foreign Affairs

Other Stuff - Maori, State Sector, Local Govt

• NZ Govt - Budget supports MÄ ori business and innovation
• NZ Govt - More Budget funding for community law centres
• NZ Govt - Whare Oranga Ake will help cut reoffending
• NZ Govt - Extra funding to reach Treaty settlement goal
• NZ Govt - Economic development boost for Pacific people

BUDGET 2010 PREVIEWS & REACTION

Scoop Satire: Sweeping Taxonomy Changes Planned For Budget 2010

What may have begun as a typographic error has been embraced by the Government, with the budget tipped to see a sweeping ''rebalancing'' of the taxonomy system. The biological classification system, which arranges all living organisms by ranks such as kingdom... More >>

Wish lists, etc.:

• Scoop Business - NZ dollar sinks before budget as euro woes weigh
• Pundit.co.nz Out-Link - Bill English's smoke and mirrors: when good is bad
• Maori Party - Harawira: Against an Increase in GST
• Greens - Borrowing for tax cuts irresponsible, unfair
• liberation out-link - Greens now favour 15% GST
• ACT - Budget 2010: Combating Government Waste
• ACT - PSA's Response Predictable
• Public Service Association - ACT's vision for of future is a nightmare for NZ
• Bizzone Business Expo - Budget comments re SME sector
• Canterbury Regional Alliance Council - Time To Take Action Against GST On Food
• Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics NZ - ITPs prepared for budget cuts
• Libertarianz Party - Libertarianz Alternative Budget 2010
• TV3 Video - Budget 2010: What do we know so far? - Budget could force parents out of work - English: 'Vast majority will be better off' after Budget - Budget 2010: How will the GST rise affect retailers? - Budget 2010: What's instore for landlords and tenants?
• Transtasman - Budget 2010: Transtasman Tips On Budget 2010
• Scoop Features - Budget 2010

Scoop Audio: Pre-Budget Announcement On KiwiRail
The Government has announced a $250m investment in the nation's rail infrastructure, saying it will increase the country's productivity and economic growth. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Government investment for rail turnaround
• Labour - A real commitment needed for rail to meet future
• RMTU - Much needed rail investment encouraging
• RMTU - KiwiRail tender may see some work done locally
• Council for Infrastructure Development - $250m Lifeline for KiwiRail Provides Options
• NZCTU - Rail investment welcome but more needed
• TV3 Video - KiwiRail to get $750m boost

Gordon Campbell: On John Key's Shifting Rationales For Tax Cuts
When asked by Scoop at yesterday's post-Cabinet press conference to name a couple of countries where tax cuts had resulted in economic growth, Prime Minister John Key cited the United States. Surprising ... More>>

ALSO:

• Gordon Campbell on the leaky homes deal
• Scoop Business - Top tax rate cut to help halt brain drain: Key
• Greens - Government ignores systemic tax crime
• Greens - John Key defends inequality
• NZCTU - The poor, women, Maori, Pacific workers core too
• CTU - Budget must try harder on high youth unemployment
• Dim-Post Out-Link - Jamais vu
• Rory MacKinnon - PM's Presser - Leaky Home Loan Scheme
• r2.co.nz - R2.co.nz Video PM's Presser 17/5/10 - Leaky Homes
• TV3 Video - Budget 2010: What's instore for landlords and tenants?
• Scoop Business - NZ investors' love affair with property fades
• Mercer - NZ wages finally impacted by global credit crisis
• Institute of Chartered Accountants - GST rise overdue
• Institute of Chartered Accountants - Tax Budget of the decade
• Institute of Chartered Accountants - Back to the future Budget
• NZ Alliance Party - National look after their cronies with tax boost
• Trans Tasman Transport Unions Alliance - Wages key to closing income gap
• UNICEF - Budget should help lift children out of poverty
• NZ Nurses Organisation - Budget must support health says nurses union

Dearth Of Taxes: Government Ignores Systemic Tax Crime
John Key's Government is ignoring systemic income tax evasion choosing to reward tax avoidance rather than enforce tax law, the Green Party said today. More>>

Semi-Budget Fiscal Things: Leaky Home Loan Scheme
Victims of leaky homes will get help with the cost of repairs under a new government loan scheme announced today - but homeowners will still pay half. More>>

ALSO:

• r2.co.nz - Video: PM's Presser 17/5/10 - Leaky Homes
• NZ Govt - Government announces leaky homes package
• Gordon Campbell - On the leaky homes deal
• Scoop Business - Govt comes to the party 25% for leaky homes
• North Shore City Council - Leaky Homes 'rescue package' a giant step
• Mayor John Banks - Banks Welcomes Relief for Homeowners
• NZ Bankers' Association - Leaky Home Financial Assistance Package
• Local Govt NZ - New Leaky Buildings Proposal Could Seal Deal
• TV3 Video - Leaky homes package lacks detail - HOBANZ

Taxation: OECD Says NZ Taxes Are Low Already
The Green Party is challenging the Government to justify a new round of income tax cuts in light of a new OECD report, which shows that New Zealand has low tax rates compared to the rest of the OECD. More>>

ALSO:

• OECD - Average tax burden on workers' earnings fell
• Scoop Business - Catching Australia just got easier: Andrew Bascand
• Kiwiblog Out-Link - Not comparing apples with apples
• No Right Turn Out-Link - Wealth inequality in New Zealand
• UMR Research Ltd - New Zealanders Still Uncomfortable With Economy

Q+A Transcript: Budget Debate With The Minor Parties
PAUL: So this morning a special debate with four of the minor parties, although three of them are part of the coalition government and two are Ministers, this morning they're here representing their parties, their own economic visions, not the government's... More>>

ALSO:

• Greens - Progressive power prices among Budget ideas
• ACT - Budget 2010: Combating Government Waste
• Public Service Association - ACT's vision for of future is a nightmare for NZ
• Labour - So, Where Are The R And D Cuts Going To Be Made?
• Television NZ - Q+A's Holmes Interviews Dr Paul Quigley
• TVNZ - Panel Discussions Led by Paul Holmes
• Television NZ - Q+A's Guyon Espiner Interviews Phil Goff
• TV3 - 'The Nation' Dunne Interviewed By Stephen Parker

• ASMS - Government Should Listen To Health Budget Warning
• NZ Alliance Party - Launch Of Campaign To Remove GST From Food
• CTU - $555m More Needed For Health To Just Stand Still
• NZEI - Parents Will Lose Out Of Tipped Changes to ECE
• TV3 Video - Announcement on leaky homes expected today - Budget could bite early childhood education

Scoop Business: Weak Tax Take In NZ Stokes Fiscal Deficit
Weak personal and corporate tax takes are swelling the government's fiscal deficit, despite one-off gains from big tax avoidance settlements and under-spending in a range of areas, according to Treasury figures for the nine months to March 31. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Weak revenue underlines brittle fiscal position
• NZ Treasury - Financial statements of the NZ Govt for 9 months

Tourism: PM's Ministry To Get New Money
Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key today revealed the tourism industry will receive $30 million in new funding for 2010/11 in next week's Budget. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Speech to 2010 NZ Hotel Industry Conference
• Labour - Tourism funding needs to play more to our strength
• Forest And Bird - Key's funding contradiction highlighted
• Tourism Industry Association - $30m vote of confidence in tourism industry
• Regional Tourism Organisations NZ - RTO joint venture funding fantastic news
• Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce - Wellington Chamber Welcomes Govt Tourism Budget
• NZ Govt - DOC concessions process to get revamp
• Tourism Industry Association - Concessions review provides certainty for tourism

Scoop Full Coverage: PM's Pre-Budget R&D Announcement
Scoop Coverage and Reaction: Farmers and firms will be the big winners in this year's Budget with an extra $225m in science, research and technology funding, Prime Minister John Key announced... More>>

ALSO:

• Medical Technology Association of NZ - Govt R&D funding boost only solves part of problem
• Labour - Uni doors closing signals end to the smart economy
• Public Address Out-Link - Speaker: Seeking Better Science

Scoop Audio: Whanau Ora Press Conference
Confusion reigned in the Beehive Theatrette today as reporters grappled with funding for the Government's flagship Whanau Ora programme. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Whanau Ora an investment in families
• NZ Govt - Budget 2010 - Whanau Ora launches with $134.3m
• NZ Govt - Whanau Ora a bold move from innovative Govt
• NZ Govt - Turia - Whanau Ora : Budget 2010
• Maori Party - Maori Party pleased with first wave of funding
• Labour - Whanau ora - Don't believe the hype
• Labour - Government majorly downsizes Whanau ora
• United Future - Dunne welcomes Whanau Ora funding announcement
• Greens - Lost opportunity for whanau and New Zealand
• NZ First - Whanau Ora National's feel good sop to Maori Party
• Public Service Association - PSA concerned Whanau Ora package brings job losses
• COMVOICES - Whanau Ora to be commended says ComVoices
• Family First - Benefits of Whanau Ora Must be Proved

Pre-Budget Budget Full Coverage - Tobacco Excise Rises
Smokers will be paying even more dearly for their habit as the government rushes legislation through Parliament under extraodinary urgency to allow three increases in tobacco excises over the next two years. More>>


PRE BUDGET 2010 GOVT. ANNOUNCEMENTS[Link: Beehive - Special Feature: Budget 2010]

• Government investment for rail turnaround
• Tourism receives $30 million boost from Budget
• Speech to 2010 NZ Hotel Industry Conference
• Budget provides $321m for RS&T activities
• Key: Budget 2010: Investing in NZ's future
• Science, innovation keys to economic growth
• More resources to fight illicit drugs trade
• Turia - Whanau Ora : Budget 2010
• Budget 2010 - Whanau Ora launches with $134.3m
• Whanau Ora an investment in families
• Whanau Ora a bold move from innovative Govt
• Funding for bowel cancer screening pilot
• Budget frees another $1.8b for priority spending

ENDS