Donnelly Brian: Budget Debate 
Donnelly Brian: Budget Debate 
[Volume:631;Page:3358] 
Hon BRIAN DONNELLY (NZ First) 
: 
 In his stirring speech last Thursday the Rt Hon Winston Peters referred to this Budget as an “MMP Budget”. But I ask when—since 1998 at least—a Budget has been as influenced by a support party as Budget 2006 has been influenced by New Zealand First. It cannot be said that the Alliance the Greens the Progressive party or United Future ever had an impact on any Budget from 2000 onwards that came anywhere near the impact that New Zealand First has had on this Budget. What impact for example did ACT have on the 1999 Budget? It had no impact whatsoever yet National was dependent on ACT’s vote for confidence and supply in the same way as Labour is dependent now on New Zealand First. 
What this Budget shows is how key election pledges can be delivered by a support party even when it has only seven members if it is determined true to its word prepared to put its money where its mouth is and puts the interests of the people of New Zealand ahead of the political ambitions of its caucus members. New Zealand First has shown how a party with a few members can punch way above its weight. 
What did ACT deliver for the few people who voted for it? It delivered a dancing bear and the highest-paid territorial soldier in the country. What did National deliver for those who voted for it? It delivered a leadership bun fight. What did New Zealand First deliver for those who voted for it? I will tell members what New Zealand First delivered through this Budget for the 130115 wise people who voted for it. First and foremost this Budget delivered the first tranche of the additional 1000 frontline police and 250 additional support staff. That first tranche came at a cost of $164.3 million in operating expenses and $52.3 million in capital expenses. When the total package is finally played out it will be worth more than $500 million. Those who voted for New Zealand First can justifiably say: “We did that. We did that for all New Zealanders to provide greater security and to reduce crime.” 
The racing industry was in dire straits. For years the industry which is important to the economy of the country had bemoaned the uneven playing field it faced. An industry that employs 20000 people was in jeopardy because for years politicians turned a deaf ear to the industry’s pleas for help—National Labour the lot. Who came riding in on his black and white charger for the industry’s protection? It was no one else but Winston Peters and his band of merry men and women. The rescue package that was recently announced will reduce Government income by $136.5 million over 4 years. 
Lindsay Tisch 
: It was National’s policy word for word. The industry knows it. 
Hon BRIAN DONNELLY 
: National pinched the policy off New Zealand First in the first place. Lindsay Tisch should go back and have a look at his 2002 manifesto—there is nothing in there. I say to Mr Tisch that we know what thieves in the night they are. Some would argue that the Government had no right to have that money in the first place but if it had not been for the 130000 people who voted for New Zealand First the Government would have continued to rip off the industry. 
What about the additional $126 million funding boost for aged care in the Budget? If members look at the confidence and supply agreement they will see it there. What about the additional $64.2 million increase in market development assistance and the $63.7 million increase over 4 years for Tourism New Zealand to promote New Zealand? Members should look at the confidence and supply agreement and see that Labour has agreed to prioritise measures to significantly grow our export sector and it has nominated 2007 as an export year. What about the announcement that the Tauranga Harbour Bridge will no longer be tolled? Did Bob Clarkson negotiate that? He did not. It is in the confidence and supply agreement between Labour and New Zealand First. While Bob Clarkson was scratching his nether regions Winston Peters was negotiating on behalf of the people of Tauranga. That was magnanimous behaviour—the mark of a statesman. 
There is also the mark of a statesman in the funding for Official Development Assistance. The funding for that has been increased by $84 million with the first target area being bilateral aid in western Pacific countries and the second being maintenance of viable communities in those countries—Niue Tokelau and the Cook Islands—in free association with New Zealand. Once again New Zealand First can put up its hands and say that it has stuck to its manifesto and long-term policies and that it has delivered as a result of the confidence and supply negotiations. 
I make one more comment about the hallmark of New Zealand First which is embedded in this Budget. New Zealand First has long had a policy that all petrol and road-user charges should be used on transport-related expenditure. We battled with National when we were in Government with National because it opposed that policy but now we have seen an announcement that means we have won our case.