6. Budget 2017—Tax Cuts and Government PrioritiesGRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) to the Minister of FinanceBudget 2017—Tax Cuts and Government Priorities6. GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement that I just don't think of the Budget in terms of the election cycle"?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Finance): Yes. New Zealanders have worked hard over the last 8 years. They have made sacrifices and they have turned this country around. Now that the economy is responding well to the Government's sensible consistent economic plan we have the financial capacity finally to help New Zealand families share in the benefits of stronger economic growth. I thank the member for his question. Grant Robertson: Why then did he prioritise giving tax cuts—something called "an election bribe 8 years in the making" by Tracy Watkins—to people like him and me over ending homelessness? Hon STEVEN JOYCE: I can assure the member I was not thinking of him at any stage in the preparation of the Budget process. But in terms of families' incomes I was thinking about New Zealand families. I was thinking about the low-income families with large numbers of children who are potentially struggling to get ahead. I was thinking of those with high housing costs. I was thinking about middle-income New Zealanders who get to $48000 which is not even the average wage these days and are facing a 30c-in-the-dollar tax rate. And I was thinking about people who are struggling to get emergency housing and you will see things in the Budget about that. I think New Zealanders will see a balanced Budget which focuses on things that matter to New Zealanders. Grant Robertson: Why did he prioritise tax cuts over funding early childhood education to make up for the $110 per child per year cut that has happened under his Government?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: The member is wrong. The Government has invested something like $1.1 billion more in the education services including fully funding roll growth at early childhood centres and also providing a targeted payment for childcare centres where there are children who are at risk and that is all in Budget 2017. The member may not have got to that bit. But the important thing is actually it is important to think about family incomes. I appreciate the member never ever wants to think about family incomes but this Government does.Grant Robertson: Why has he prioritised tax cuts over funding for primary healthcare which has led the president of the Medical Council of New Zealand to say that GPs will need to raise fees?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Again the member is wrong. This Government has prioritised $7 billion in new expenditure in public services in this Budget including $3.9 billion in the health sector which as the Minister has pointed out is the largest increase in 11 years. So there is no way the member can say that. And yes this Government is focused on family incomes. This Government thinks of those families who are earning and working hard and who do not actually have the ability to get ahead. The tax package the family tax credits and the accommodation supplement will help them and we are very proud of that.Grant Robertson: Why has he prioritised tax cuts over support for growing the economy leading Xero's New Zealand country manager to say: "The Budget has let down small businesses and the tech sector."?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Again the member is wrong. The Budget puts a significant investment into the Innovative New Zealand programme around encouraging the development of research and development. We have just had actually the biggest increase in business R & D recorded in New Zealand for many years. I appreciate the member is going around trying to find reasons why Labour voted against the Family Incomes Package last week but he is a little late. They should have changed their minds and voted for it like the Greens."