The Government must do three things in Budget 2025 if it is genuinely going to turn things around for New Zealanders.

“First, it will need to properly fund our frontline public services,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.

“Second, it will need to provide a credible answer to how the Government is going to fund all of its promises, and that should not be at the expense of working women.

“Third, they need to show they have a plan to invest in our future. To rebuild our ageing schools, hospitals, public homes and infrastructure. To create jobs, upskill our workers, and raise wages and living standards.

“Because fundamentally, good economic management is about people. Shifting numbers around on a page while making life harder for everyday working Kiwis is not a sign of success.

“Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis say there is no alternative. But there is always an alternative – choosing billions in tax breaks for landlords and tobacco companies are not the choices Labour would have made.

“Borrowing $12 billion for tax cuts while cutting jobs, cutting investment, and cutting hope for future generations are not choices Labour would make.

“A good, responsible manager of New Zealand’s economy would not fund their Budget by cutting women’s pay,” Chris Hipkins said.

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