CTU MEDIA RELEASE

18 December 2007

Investment in public services, infrastructure priorities for Budget 2008

“Continuing with a strong public sector and ongoing investment in public services, health, education and infrastructure are CTU priorities for Budget 2008,” CTU president Helen Kelly said following the release of the Half Yearly Fiscal Update and Budget Policy Statement.

“Personal tax cuts are clearly coming, in addition to significant corporate tax cuts, but they shouldn’t jeopardise public services and we agree with the government’s 4 pre-conditions around personal tax cuts.”

“We are particularly interested in the provision in the Budget Policy Statement for $44 million in 2008/09 rising to $81 million per year on literacy, numeracy and language.”

“Supporting workers to improve literacy and numeracy skills is critical to building a high wage, high skill economy and in lifting New Zealand’s productivity,” Helen Kelly said.

“We also note and support the lift in the investment in sustainable economic development signalled through significantly increased provision for capital expenditure.”

ENDS

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