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Manurewa MP George Hawkins said today how budgets have changed since he was a young person.   When I was a child my parents used to go and make sure that the car was full, they brought extra packets of tobacco and cigarettes and made sure a new crate of beer was brought.   Everyone settled down around the radio to listen to the Finance Minister of the day and as kids we were not allowed to talk.   Every year petrol, cigarettes and booze went up but now days budgets are much more predictable. 

This year's budget shows that the Government is serious about managing harsh edges of economic pressure points even though you cannot compensate for them completely.   The elderly are going to find life a little easier as their pensions change.   From October 1 superannuitants will get between $20.74 and $23.84 extra from the budget changes, and public transport outside of peak times will be free.   Average families will also be better off.

South Auckland electorate will really welcome the improve in education, health and class sizes for new entrant to be 1 teacher -to 15 is going to provide a better start for our young people. 

The Government has cut taxes for families, raised superannuation rates, cut taxes for business, reinvested in state housing, reformed welfare, cut taxes on savings and undertook historic investments in health and education.

The results are clear.   As we have enjoyed raising profits for firms and the longest economic expansion since the Second World War we have also seen:

• 350,000 more jobs created, giving more families a stake in our economy;
• Over 140,000 fewer people are relying on a working age benefit;
• Child poverty rates fall dramatically;
• Inequalities in health outcomes finally start to narrow.

 This is a fair and responsible budget which helps individuals and families, keeps our economy strong, and invests in the future.   Our work continues.

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