Today’s Budget is a masterclass in making the wrong decisions for New Zealanders.

“After a year of job cuts, now we are on to pay cuts and stealing from our kids’ retirement funds,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.

“The Government has taken $11 billion that should be lifting women’s pay and used it to make its budget add up.

“Christopher Luxon’s decision to cut the Government KiwiSaver contribution will steal $66,000 from the retirement savings of an 18-year-old entering the scheme today.

“Women, young people and the working public are paying for handouts to landlords, multinationals and tobacco companies. Today we can add oil and gas companies to that list.

“With the cost-of-living pressure reaching crisis point, this Government is offering some families a measly $7 a week. That won’t even buy a block of butter.

“Last Budget Nicola Willis made a choice to borrow $12 billion for tax cuts which haven’t delivered for Kiwis. It’s time she took some responsibility.

“We don’t know if a single family has received the $250 she promised last year, so why should Kiwis believe her this this year?

“She is choosing austerity to make up for her poor fiscal management.

“More people are homeless, more children are going hungry and women are going to be paid less. That’s what Nicola Willis and Christopher Luxon will be remembered for,” Chris Hipkins said.

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