Ask to use material, get more information or tell us about an item
The AM Network broadcasting from Parliament live. 1.45 - 5.45pm.
The Treasurer, the Rt Hon Bill Birch introduces the 1999 Budget, “Mr Speaker, I move that the Appropriation (1999/2000 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time. In six months time the world enters a new millennium. This country will be the first to see the sun… This Budget is about preparing the nation’s children for success in the 21st century, improving the capability for that task of all New Zealand working families, and giving disadvantaged families and children a much fairer shot at a good life in the future.”
Birch talks about a sound foundation for future progress, economic performance and prospects, the sixth consecutive fiscal surplus, the 15% net crown debt target, a wider shareholding democracy, the 1999 tax reductions package, the abolition of the public broadcasting fee, support for working for families with a new child, the abolition of stamp duties, the removal of estate duty, the outlook for future income tax reductions, the role of savings in future growth, an increase in international trade growth, the role of growth in social progress, raising education standards and overcoming educational disadvantage, strengthening families and helping those at risk, improving outcomes for Māori people, justice and security, improving health care and facilities, encouraging enterprise and innovation, safe guarding our environmental heritage, the importance of the rural economy and policy progress.
Birch concludes, “Since 1990, this Government has laid a very solid foundation for this country. Across the decade to 2002, we will, on current data, average 3% growth a year. We have demonstrated that New Zealand can continue to achieve solid and sustainable growth… Mr Speaker, the succession in this portfolio has been ensured. A smooth transition is in place. The quality evident in Government economic and fiscal management during this decade will continue into the next century. I am happy that the prudence of those policies in my period as Minister of Finance and Treasurer has helped to give the nation a solid platform from which to make those achievements.”
Leader of the Labour Party, the Rt Hon Helen Clark responds to the budget, “Mr Speaker that was National’s last budget… [it] lacked any vision of any kind… the National Party wants people to believe they care… that was a budget that will please nobody…” Clark promises Labour will meet the needs of New Zealand. This budget she claims is, “…utterly irrelevant to the future of NZ… it is tired… it is disreputable…”
National Party Leader, the Rt Hon Jenny Shipley responds to Helen Clark, “Mr Speaker Labour left office in 1990 with a terrible deficit … we have an economy that is growing well…. Labour could never that…. inflation is very low…. more jobs for real people in a real economy… all the while we are paying off debt… this government is really proud of this budget… able to deliver an environment where low interest rates are available….” Shipley continues to back up the new budget and defends National’s legacy.
Alliance Leader, the Rt Hon Jim Anderton responds to the budget, “Mr Speaker eight out of ten New Zealanders know that they are worse off… it is a light weight ghost of a budget…. there’s little in it but shadows…”
New Zealand First Leader, the Rt Hon Winston Peters responds to the budget, “Mr Speaker today the people of this country heard the longest farewell note in history… after fifteen years of reforms the people of this country now know there’s going to be no gain, it’s all pain… debt up, unemployment up, crime up, violence up… after fifteen years of this voodoo economics of experimenting with people’s lives, every indicator now is bad...”
Act Party Leader, the Rt Hon Richard Prebble responds to the budget, “Mr Speaker the ACT Party will be voting to support the 1999 Budget… this is the best budget that has been presented to parliament in this parliamentary term… it’s not a great budget but compared to the two previous budgets delivered by the Rt Hon Mr Peters, it’s a very sound budget…”
United New Zealand Leader, the Rt Hon Peter Dunne responds to the budget, “Mr Speaker this budget is generally on the right track on turning New Zealand to becoming a modern, liberal, caring society but there still exists too many causes, fundamental causes of root economic and social problems economic and social disparity that are not being addressed to enable us to make that statement with any great confidence…”
Mauri Pacific Leader, the Rt Hon Tau Henare, “Mr Speaker, today sir is a good day for the people of Aotearoa… I want to go on record for congratulating Mr Birch… for todays budget has all the hallmarks of not only fiscal responsibilities sir, but it also a budget… [that has] a bit of social assistance in it as well” Henare promotes trade training by Māori for Māori, productive use of Māori land for business and Māori student education and Māori language strategy. In Henare’s opinion, “…Birch has delivered in this year’s budget in what Winston Peters couldn’t deliver in two years.”
Labour Party MP, the Hon Mr Paul Swain retaliates by saying Tau Henare is soon to be out so it doesn’t matter what he says.
Bill English speaks to the house regarding the Stamp Duty abolition bill.
Labour Associate, the Hon Dr Michael Cullen responds to English’s speech.
Refer Document Acc#99/28 'Budget Speech & Fiscal Strategy Report 1999'