Last of the Budget Passes

Finance Minister Bill English defended the Government’s fiscal strategy today as Parliament completed the Budget process.

The third reading of the Appropriation (2015/16 Estimates) Bill was completed this afternoon by 63 to 58 with National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future in support.

Finance Minister Bill English said the third reading of the bill brought to an and the process for Budget 2015. He acknowledged both those working on the front line of the public sector and those officials who worked on policy and the Budget.

Mr English said they had provided a great deal of support for the Government’s aim of doing more with less. The Budget was the second one showing the impact of the Government’s policy to improve people’s lives with a social investment approach. This meant a focus on the customer.

Labour Leader Andrew Little said Mr English’s Budget showed the Government did not have a plan to help those who were doing it hard. The expectation of the Budget’s projections were unemployment would fall, milk prices to hold up and it had got these wrong.

Mr Little said the public would see through National despite Mike Hosking defending them.

Earlier the Imprest Supply (Second for 2015/16) Bill was introduced and given its first reading by 63 to 58 with National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future in support. It was given its second reading with the appropriation bill and also completed its third reading.

MPs will begin first reading of the Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill following the dinner break.

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