Parata Hekia: Third Readings — 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Parata Hekia: Third Readings — 
[Sitting date: 20 May 2010. Volume:663;Page:11195. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
HEKIA PARATA (National) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Deputy Speaker. Tena tatou e te Whare. Is it not terrible that we have to sit here and listen to a depressing outlook from people who are sent to this Parliament in the best interests of this country? We have been treated to a tired litany of lethargic arguments about what is wrong with the country. We on this side of the House are committed to a better New Zealand. We are committed to the politics of hope. We are committed to the politics of potential. Unlike members on the other side of the House we are not mired deep in the hope that things will go wrong. That is the wishful thinking that we have been treated to by the Opposition this afternoon. 
New Zealanders will be ashamed of the kind of sentiment that has been expressed by members on that side of the House. Their ambition is so low that it is below the lowest as we sit here and listen to the terrible hopes of members on that side of the House about what could possibly go wrong. It is our settled conviction that this Budget is transformational. It is transformational because it strikes the balance between giving immediate opportunity and gain to New Zealanders and restructuring for the long-term focus on how we get growth and productivity. Unlike members on that side of the House we do not focus on how we can get ever smaller slivers of the pie; we focus on how we can grow it bigger so that more people can enjoy a higher quality of living and have greater prospects for the future for themselves and for their children. This Budget is a transformation. 
From that side of the House we have heard quoted a figure of 72 percent. Well let me tell members a remarkable fact: 73 percent of income earners will now face a statutory income tax rate of 17.5 percent or less. For those near the top of that income range the tax rate has been halved—it is down from 33 percent in just 2 years—and this rate will apply to their incomes and savings including KiwiSaver. So there we are—three-quarters of New Zealanders paying tax will now be on the 17.5 percent rate. Do members know why? It is because this Government trusts New Zealanders to make better choices for themselves. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: She’s reading Jonathan Young’s speech. It was better the first time. 
HEKIA PARATA 
: Actually I tell Mr Mallard that is not so. I am quite capable of standing here for a couple of hours and not reading anything and still making sense. I am threatening to do that so perhaps the member could keep quiet. 
Two-thirds of the cost of personal income tax cuts has gone into reducing the lowest two tax rates. That means that two-thirds of the tax cuts apply to those earning $48000 or less. So although the Opposition wants to focus on a very small handful of people—who it is true will get tax cuts and who it is also true pay significant amounts of tax—two-thirds of tax cuts will apply to people on incomes below $48000. 
Opposition members do not have to take my word for it. They can read every headline in this country. They can listen to every radio and then they can go out and listen to New Zealanders who are very pleased with the opportunity for the potential they see to improve their lives not only immediately from 1 October but for the future. But what do we hear? There are cries of condemnation in the hope that no people will not improve their lives. Well that view is for that side of the House. This Budget is a historic document and we are proud of this document. We make policies for the many and we deliver for the many while members on that side of the House just talk about it. I commend this bill to the House. Kia ora tatou.