Scoop Features New Zealand Goverment Budget 2015 Full Coverage

Full Scoop Coverage: Budget 2015

Budget 2015 - Scoop Full Coverage

Parliament Live - LIVE Video Of Budget 2015 from 2pm

The 2015 New Zealand Budget will be delivered on Thursday 15 May.

CLICK TO JUMP TO SCOOP BUDGET COMMENTARY AND REPORTS
CLICK TO JUMP TO THE BUDGET PRESS RELEASES
CLICK TO JUMP TO BUDGET REACTION
CLICK TO JUMP TO BUDGET PREVIEWS

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

RELATED LINKS:
For the full text (when released) of the budget see...
TREASURY BUDGET 2015 WEBSITE
See also the BEEHIVE BUDGET PAGE

For previous budgets see...
BUDGET 2014 - BUDGET 2013 - BUDGET 2012 - BUDGET 2011 - BUDGET 2010 - BUDGET 2009 - BUDGET 2008 - BUDGET 2007 - BUDGET 2007 - BUDGET 2006 - BUDGET 2005 - BUDGET 2004 - BUDGET 2003 - BUDGET 2002 - BUDGET 2001 & BUDGET 2000

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

BUDGET 2015 - SCOOP COMMENTARY / REPORTS

Francis Cook: Andrew Little Post-Budget Address

Andrew Little said today the Budget was not earth-shattering, but he made concessions regarding the government's new policies on working for families and children in poverty.

Little's main issue with the Budget was that it lacked a clear strategy for dealing with lowering milk prices. He said the country will be left with a $7 billion hole from falling diary prices and Goldman Sacs expected prices to remain low for the next five years... More>>

Gordon Campbell: On Budget 2015

From the outset, the slogan for yesterday's Budget - "The Plan Is Working" - begged to be mocked. There's actually a plan for the national economy? Who knew? And its been working for whom, exactly? Not for families in poverty, clearly. Supposedly, the social hardship package is the centre-piece of Budget 2015. Yet how could Finance Minister Bill English claim with a straight face to be doing anything significant about poverty - or income inequality...More>>

Alastair Thompson: NZ Budget 2015 - A Budget With Poverty At Its Heart

Poverty of imagination. Poverty of opportunity. Poverty of ambition. Nothing has changed, really, since 2014. The fiscal stratagem remains fixed. Surpluses at all costs. Then spending restraints remain and any "fiscal headroom" is to be applied to repaying debt until it is paid down to 20% of GDP.

But in a world awash with Government deficits The NZ Govt's NZ's net debt position (reserves less debt) fell in 2014-2015. Anywhere else in the world that would mean we were already in surplus but not here. More>>

Multimedia Coverage:

Jeremy Wilkinson - Photos from Budget 2015
Jeremy Wilkinson - Bill English 2015 Budget Announcement - Video

BusinessDesk Coverage

BusinessDesk - KiwiSaver providing poor value for money, Treasury says
BusinessDesk - NZ Dollar Outlook: Kiwi may fall as US outlook brightens
BusinessDesk - MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise; DNZ gains; Spark drops
BusinessDesk - NZ dollar holds near bottom of range as rate cut eyed
BusinessDesk - NZ credit ratings unaffected by government's 2015 budget
BusinessDesk - New $16 per head arrival fee to hit travellers
BusinessDesk - Govt warns KiwiRail annual support won't last
BusinessDesk - Carrot and stick budget measures for low income families
BusinessDesk - NZDMO adds $1 bln to bond programme in 2015/16 year
BusinessDesk - Low inflation, ACC changes slash $3.2B from Crown balance
BusinessDesk - NZ economic growth seen slowing amid low commodity prices

Parliament Today Coverage

ParliamentToday.co.nz - Budget Welfare Bill Sent To Select Committee
ParliamentToday.co.nz - Urgency Motion
ParliamentToday.co.nz - Urgency
ParliamentToday.co.nz - Report Presented, Budget Speech Begins

ALSO:

TV3 Video - Video: Budget's child poverty changes welcomed
TV3 Video - Video: Budget 2015 'a politician's budget' AAA Robertson
TV3 Video - Budget 2015: Benefits up AAA but obligations are too
TV3 Video - Budget 2015: 5 things you need to know

Weekend Interviews:

The Nation - Lisa Owen interviews Grant Robertson
The Nation - Patrick Gower interviews Finance Minister Bill English:
The Nation - Lisa Owen interviews Northland GP Lance O'Sullivan
TVNZ - NZ can afford the future cost of superannuation - English

BUDGET 2015 - POST BUDGET DAY DEVELOPMENTS

NZ Govt - Budget 2015: Funding boost for Irrigation Acceleration Fund
Labour Party - Public broadcasting takes big hit under National Government
Labour Party - Labour calls for inquiry into Rural Broadband Initiative
Labour Party - Fonterra payout $13b black hole over 2 years
Labour Party - Is Nick Smith making it up as he goes along?
Labour Party - Nats break health and education spending promises
NZ First - Deception, Division and Denial - The Ugly Truth
Labour Party - McCully excuses unravel in Saudi sheep scandal
Relationships Aotearoa - Relationships Aotearoa meets with transition providers
Relationships Aotearoa - Government forces closure of Relationships Aotearoa
Relationships Aotearoa - Relationships Aotearoa welcomes discussion

BUDGET 2015 - THE REACTION - FULL COVERAGE

BUDGET DEBATE SPEECHES - AS PREPARED
Metiria Turei's 2015 Budget Speech: The Abandoned Generation
Dunne Speaks on the 2015 Budget

Parliamentary Reaction:

Government/National

New Zealand Government - Social Housing Reform Bill passed into law
New Zealand Government - Border Processing Bill passes third reading
New Zealand Government - Budget 2015: Driving primary sector export growth
New Zealand Government - Minister welcomes $74 million for tax compliance
New Zealand Government - Children in Hardship Bill passes first reading
New Zealand Government - Pacific peoples benefit from Budget 2015

Labour
Labour Party - How many victims missing out on protection?
Labour Party - Another new tax, another broken promise
Labour Party - Speculator tax political stunt gone wrong
Labour Party - Government kicks hardworking whanau
Labour Party - Crucial social services take another hit
Labour Party - Less than healthy outlook for health sector
Labour Party - Budget puts the squeeze on police
Labour Party - Budget silent on small business
Labour Party - KiwiSaver cut shows no long-term plan
Labour Party - Panic and back-flips can't hide twin deficits
Labour Party - National hits the panic button for its 7th Budget

Greens

Green Party - Why are we paying climate polluters $31m to pollute?
Green Party - Conservation funding cuts a sad way to mark biodiversity day
Green Party - Greens support Budget moves to protect biodiversity
Green Party - Reduced spend on refugees undermines resettlement
Green Party - National's police cuts risk community safety
Green Party - Nasty cuts to Kiwisaver show young NZers are fair game
Green Party - Metiria Turei's 2015 Budget Speech: The abandoned generation
Green Party - Today's Budget still no solution to child poverty

NZ First

NZ First Party - Supported Poverty Does Nothing for Kiwi Kids
NZ First Party - Social Housing Not Our Problem Says National
NZ First Party - Too Much Pressure on Parents of Disabled Children
NZ First Party - Defence Budget - under Staffed, Undervalued But Over There
NZ First Party - Nothing for Northland And Regions in 'I See Red' Budget
NZ First Party - Police Budget 2015 - 'King of Pain' for Regional Policing
NZ First Party - Count Me In Programme Masks Neglect of MÄori Youth
NZ First Party - Farmers Get Crumbs From Budget 2015
NZ First Party - Nothing to Celebrate for Education in Governmentâs Budget
NZ First Party - Budget Fails to Deliver for Regional North
NZ First Party - Split Enz 'I See Red,I See Red, I See Red'

The Maori Party

The Maori Party - Maori Party secures more support for Maori housing
The Maori Party - Maori Party secures essential funding for Whanau Ora
The Maori Party - Maori Party delivers for vulnerable whanau

ACT

ACT - Budget 2015: ACT welcomes focus on poorest families
ACT - Budget 2015: Four hundred and thirty hectares? How about 27m
ACT - Budget 2015: Budget could have cut company tax
ACT - Budget 2015: Tax burden continues to rise

United Future

United Future NZ Party - Dunne Speaks on the 2015 Budget

Non Parliamentary Political Reaction:

NZ Taxpayers' Union - Taxpayers' Union welcome changes
New Zealand Bankers' Association - Budget 2015 continues responsible economic direction
NZ Taxpayers' Union - National deliver Labour-Green Budget
NZ Taxpayers' Union - Budget 2015 introduces new 'travel tax' on Kiwi families

Health Sector Reaction:

Pharmacy Guild - Guild disappointed but not surprised at lack of funding
Health Promotion Agency - Palliative care funds and services must filter to rural area
New Zealand Medical Students' Assn - Budget Prevents Doctors from Graduating
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists - Government fails - again - to invest in health workforce
College of Public Health Medicine - College of Public Health Medicine applauds Budget 2015
Health Funds Association of NZ - Health budget still doesn't address funding model: HFANZ

Education Sector Reaction:

NZMSA - Budget Prevents Doctors from Graduating
Child Forum - More childcare the focus for early education budget
Te Taumata o Ngati Whakaue Iho Ake Trust - Budget 2015; Ngati Whakaue; Rotorua
Early Childhood NZ - Budget 2015 cold comfort for early childhood education
NZUSA - Budget does nothing for Generation Rent
Universities NZ - Universities a key part of the solution
Universities, Polytechnics And Wananga - Budget tougher for students
Ngati Apa - Iwi leader believes education the key to a better future
Early Childhood Council - Budget will cost average early childhood centres $15,000
Lincoln University- Budget funding boost welcomed
NZSTA - Education budget focuses on learners says NZSTA
NZEI - Hard budget decisions loom for primary schools
VUWSA - Budget 2015: Students left in the doghouse
New Zealand Kindergartens - Budget is a missed opportunity to improve quality in ECE

Union Reaction:

NZ Council of Trade Unions - Solo parents forced to work; but where are the quality jobs?
NZNO - Budget 2015 robs Peter to pay Paul
First Union - Budget 2015: Working people miss out - union
PSA - Budget 2015 shows no plans for public sector wages
CTU - Workers are missing out
NZEI - Government more focussed on quantity over quality
NZEI - Hard budget decisions loom for primary schools
NZEI - Budget lack of provision for necessary education pay rises

Global Markets/Futures

HiFX Key budgetary points by HiFX

Banking and Finance

Welfare/Poverty Sector Reaction

Every Child Counts - Important first steps but more needed to end child poverty
Child Poverty Action Group - Budget signals change in approach to child poverty
Council for International Development - Budget response: New Zealand needs to up its game on ODA
UNICEF NZ - Budget delivers small change but not real change for children
Oxfam - Focus on poverty urged as aid budget increases
Caritas Aotearoa - Benefit increase a step in the right direction
NZCCSS - Child hardship package â a very modest start
New Zealand Plunket Society - Plunket welcomes steps to help families living in poverty
Bridget Williams Books - Jonathan Boston: child hardship package
Nga Taitamariki ki o Nga Puhi - Iwi Chairs Pleased with Budget Commitment to Whanau Ora
Office of the Children's Commissioner - Childrenâs Commissioner â "Budget a surprise but not a plan"
Salvation Army - Some relief for the most deprived
Salvation Army - Good Boost to Auckland Housing says Sallies
UNICEF - Budget takes small steps for children
Auckland Action Against Poverty - Budget benefit lift a mean trick
PANICPR - Annah Stretton: Crisis vs Change
Salvation Army - Good Boost to Auckland Housing says Sallies
Property Council Of NZ - Budget delivers on housing, but not earthquake strengthening

Accountants & Analysis

PricewaterhouseCoopers - Budget : A signal about GST on overseas online purchases
PricewaterhouseCoopers - Budget 2015: Auckland housing - more land for development
KPMG - Budget 2015 â Facing the Future
PricewaterhouseCoopers - Budget 2015: Business as usual for health
Deloitte - Budget aims to addresses Auckland housing but not transport
Deloitte - Budget 2015 brings home reality of a hard economic grind
Deloitte New Zealand - Budget 2015 a missed opportunity for MÄori

Business Reaction

NZ Beef and Lamb - Border clearance levy welcomed
Employers And Manufacturers Federation - Budget Responsible but Lacking Vision
Spark NZ - Spark supports Government plans to act on multi-national tax
Wellington Employers' Chamber of Commerce - Budget continues a stable platform for business growth
Financial Services Council - Axing Kiwisaver Kick Start Payment a Terrible Signal
MYOB - SMEs hope for more focus from Government
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand - Budget 2015: Where's the broader long term plan?
Retail NZ - Retailers "Deeply Disappointed" by Budget
Business NZ - Budget 2015 takes an incremental approach
New Zealand Property Institute - Property Institute gives tick to Budget Housing initiative
Employers And Manufacturers Federation - Budget Responsible but Lacking Vision
Tourism Industry Association - Tourism industry opposes border clearance levy
Property Council Of New Zealand - Budget delivers on housing, but not earthquake strengthening
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand - Budget 2015: Where's the broader long term plan?
PwC - Budget 2015: Sticks to tried and tested formula
Deloitte - Budget 2015 refreshingly free of tax changes
Deloitte - Budget 2015 brings home reality of a hard economic grind

Other Reaction

NZ Police Association - Government just scraping by on Police Budgets
Cycling Advocates Network - Cyclists gather 'crumbs from Transport Budget table'
Grey Power NZ - Budget a lost opportunity - Grey Power
Cameron Brewer - Len Brown fails to convince Govt on transport
Science New Zealand - Science New Zealand on Budget 2015
Oily Rag- Oily Rag Budget 2015
Irrigation NZ - INZ supportive of budget 2015 allocation to water management
Generation Zero - Budget a disappointment for Auckland transport
Kiwis for Kiwi - Kiwis for kiwi welcomes $11.2m to help save Kiwi

BUDGET 2015 - THE PRESS KIT
(Note see also pre-budget announcements below)

The Budget Speech

Budget: Hon Bill English Budget Speech 2015

I move that the Appropriation (2015/16 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time. More>>

Executive Summaries
Budget 2015: At a Glance
John Key - Supporting children in hardship focus of Budget
Bill English - Help for families at heart of responsible Budget
Bill English Newsletter - Message From Bill English

Fact Sheets
Fact Sheet 5: Child hardship package as a whole
Fact Sheet 4: Increasing Childcare Assistance
Fact Sheet 3: Changes to Working for Families
Fact sheet 2: Increasing benefit rates for families with children
Fact Sheet 1: Extending work obligations for parents on a benefit

Economy
Hon Bill English Budget Speech 2015
Share offer funds support education, UFB, rail
KiwiSaver $1,000 kick-start payment to cease
Books in good shape as surplus nears

Infrastructure
$360m boost for world-class internet connectivity
$52m to replace wharf at Chatham Islands
Budget invests $249m extra in transport priorities

Maori
$12.8m for new Te Ture Whenua MÄori Network
$2.1m for rangatahi MÄori suicide prevention
$35.3m invested to improve MÄori housing

Education
$373.9m spending on school infrastructure
Education investment rises to $10.8b
Further $113m boost for tertiary education, skills
Opportunities through Partnership Schools
Extra $8.2m for vulnerable students
Stepping up for kids with special needs
Budget 2015 Presentation to Education Cross Sector Forum

Welfare
Bill English - Help for families at heart of responsible Budget
John Key - Supporting children in hardship focus of Budget
Budget 2015 supports at-risk children
$49.8m boost for WhÄnau Ora navigators
Forgiving debt to encourage child support payments
Extra support to help more people into work
Commitment to improved social housing
$790m package for children in poorest families

Health
$12.4m to extend bowel cancer screening pilot
$76.1m more for palliative care and hospices
Health investment increases to a record $15.9b
More support for disabled young people

Housing
Fund to facilitate Auckland housing development

Law, Order, Defence & Security
$218.6m to continue improving public safety
New funding of $164m to support Police
Supporting the SFO in fighting serious fraud
Funding boost for New Zealand security services
Government continues to back NZ armed forces

Research, Growth And Innovation
$25m funding for Regional Research Institutes

Art, Culture And Sport

Trade and Foreign Affairs
Border clearance levy to be introduced
Extra boost to Customs' border security
Funding boost for biosecurity at the border

Canterbury Rebuild
Govt support for Canterbury rebuild now $16.5b

Other Stuff - RMA, Business Number, Kiwis and Animal Welfare
$41.2m for resource management, water reform
$12.1m for NZ Business Number
$11.2m to secure the future of the kiwi
Animal welfare funding boost in Budget

BUDGET 2015 PREVIEWS & REACTION

Parliament Today: Budget and Urgency

Budget 2015: A Budget to Assist The Poorest?

A people centred budget, which improves the plight of the poorest and most vulnerable Kiwis, is the expectation The Salvation Army has for Thursday's budget.

We look to Government to launch the economic plan that comprehensively addresses housing supply and affordability, child poverty, social and economic deprivation in regional New Zealand said Major Sue Hay Director of the Army's Parliamentary Unit. More >>