2. Question No. 2—FinanceNICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 2—Finance2. NICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement that the Government is making sure that we do support those on low and middle incomes who are the most affected by rising prices"; if so what level of income does he consider qualifies as "middle income"?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yes I do stand by that statement. The Government recognises that many New Zealanders are facing a cost of living crisis due to global factors including the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This has particularly impacted on fuel prices which is why the Government moved swiftly to ease that pressure by cutting fuel excise duty. It's also why we're supporting New Zealanders by delivering income increases for many families superannuitants and those on Government support from tomorrow. In answer to the second part of the question the definition of "middle income" does depend on each household's particular circumstances. One thing we do know is that more than half of taxpayers earn less than $48000. What I can say in terms of the definition is that it doesn't cover those who earn over $180000 who the member wants to give thousands of dollars of tax cuts to.Nicola Willis: Well is he aware that according to Stats New Zealand the average household income is $110000 and can he explain why these middle income families will not get a single dollar out of his so-called "income package"?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well Stats New Zealand numbers depending on the day or depending on the month that is used—the household labour force survey ones for June 2021 have a median earning level of $56000 and a mean earning level of $67000. In answer to the second part of the member's question as we have said many times in this House our focus in the 1 April package is on those on low and middle incomes who deserve a boost from the Government denied for many years by National Governments.Nicola Willis: When will the Minister give relief to the squeezed middle who don't qualify for Government entitlements but who are slipping backwards each week as they contend with the biggest cost of living crisis in a generation?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The member may not have noticed but several weeks ago the Government removed 25c of fuel excise duty—Nicola Willis: Oh that's all they get.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well it is in fact for the member because it's delivering—for those who actually fill up their tank once a week—somewhere between $10 and $15 a week which is a great deal more than what a lot of people would get from the member's tax package. Nicola Willis: Is it the Minister's position that an average household deserves no relief other than a reduction in the petrol tax he increased to begin with?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: It's my position that all New Zealand households deserve a Government that properly funds health that properly funds education that properly funds housing and that makes sure that it gets the balance right in supporting low and middle income families. There have been no easy decisions for the Government through the COVID period but I believe we've got the balance about right.Nicola Willis: Why won't he inflation-adjust tax thresholds so that an average income family could look forward to a $1600 income boost this year?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As we have covered many times in this House the member can't have it all ways. It's not possible to cut taxes cut debt and increase spending and her leader just this week has said "Yes I want to see benefits increase. Yes I want to see mental health spending increase." You can't have it all three of those ways.Chlöe Swarbrick: What advice has he received on rent controls taking into account that one in four renters compared to one in nine homeowners spend more than 40 percent of their income on housing costs?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As the Minister of Finance I haven't received any recent advice on rent controls. I know that those questions have been put in the past to the Minister of Housing and others and I would direct the member to them.Nicola Willis: Is the $20 a week increase for Working for Families more or less than the increase in the cost of living for the average household?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: That will depend on what the average household is facing. What I do know is the 60 percent of New Zealand families who will be getting that family tax credit increase will be very pleased to receive that kind of support and possibly interested to know that the National Party voted against it.Hon Dr Megan Woods: Can the Minister confirm that $20 a week is more than $2.15 a week that families earning $48000 would get under the Opposition's package?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Yes I—DEPUTY SPEAKER: I'm pretty sure that's not in order. Nicola Willis: Is he aware that the $21 a week increase for Working for Families is less than the around $70 a week increase forecast in the cost of living for an average household on $60000 with two children; and isn't it the case that under this Government all New Zealand families are facing a cost of living crisis that's set to get worse?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In answer to the second part of the member's question we are aware—very well aware—on this side of the House that the factors that are driving cost of living increases such as supply chain constraints such as the war in Ukraine such as the ongoing impact of COVID-19 are having an impact on households and we as a Government have an obligation to look after those who are affected the most. We also have an obligation to invest properly in our health system to make sure that we address the inequities in our health system to make sure that we have proper schools that we build housing that we look after mental health. None of those things would be possible if the member carries through with her tax cut policy that would favour those on the highest incomes."