NZ Herald, 19 May 2011: Herald contributors offer their early take on Budget 2011. Helen Kelly, President of the Council of Trade Unions, comes from the left, while Auckland Councilor for Orakei Cameron Brewer writes from the right.
FROM THE RIGHT… By Cameron Brewer
New Zealanders need to come away knowing there is a concerted plan to reduce the country’s eye-watering public debt and deficit, not just for the coming financial year but beyond.
Everyone is braced for the Finance Minister to deliver some trimmings to the likes of Working for Families and KiwiSaver, but the success of this Budget will be judged on the Government’s wider strategy to get us back in the blue in a sustainable fashion. With the high cost of living and fuel, people are turning to public transport in unprecedented numbers. The upsurge in passenger patronage across the country needs to be accommodated in this Budget.
The Government should also give Auckland a firmer view on the much talked about $2.5 billion CBD rail loop. There remains disagreement between the Auckland Council and the Government as to the wider economic benefits of having new stations and a rail tunnel under the western side of the central city. However, at the very least the Government needs to indicate whether it is a serious project partner or not and this should be signalled in Budget 2011. The CBD rail loop is a massive 10-year project with its promoters keen to get cracking on designations and land acquisitions. There is hunger for some direction.
The people of Christchurch need to be told that they are not a drain on the economy but a critical part of the country we all want rebuilt. The Earthquake Commission may still have $5.6 billion in its coffers, but Bill English needs to give assurances that the Government could do it all again if called upon. February 22 has reminded us of our vulnerability. This Budget not only needs to show we’ve got Christchurch covered, but that we have adequate funds to overcome future natural disasters as well.