Budget 2006 - A Social Perspective

Friday, 19 May 2006, 2:35 pm
Article: Kevin List

Budget 2006: Dissecting Cullen's Latest From A Social Perspective

While 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:

Of the four speakers Scoop found Peter Harris's take on the ever-expanding health budget to be the most compelling. With New Zealand's population living longer and the baby boomers nearing retirement there will be more and more strain put on the health budget. According to Mr Harris the prospect of culling a few bureaucrats as some politicians have suggested is unlikely to help.

Another theme picked up following the speeches is how $1.3 Billion dollars of roads helps NZ build a smart, knowledge based economy - the answer from the panellists seemed to be that it doesn't. The general consensus was that the Labour-Progressive Government had constructed a 20th century answer to a 21st century problem.

Listen to Rod Oram discussing Budget 2006

Scoop Streaming Audio: PM's post-cabinet press conference, 20/02/06

Click here to download file (mp3)

Listen to Peter Harris discussing Budget 2006

Scoop Streaming Audio: PM's post-cabinet press conference, 20/02/06

Click here to download file (mp3)

Listen to Cindy Kiro discussing Budget 2006

Scoop Streaming Audio: PM's post-cabinet press conference, 20/02/06

Click here to download file (mp3)

http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/audio/0605/DebbieTeWhaitiBudget2006.mp3

Listen to Debbie Te Whaiti discussing Budget 2006

Scoop Streaming Audio: PM's post-cabinet press conference, 20/02/06

Click here to download file (mp3)

ENDS

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