Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Budget Debate 
Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Budget Debate 
[Volume:631;Page:3296] 
Hon LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector) 
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Kia ora talofa lava and warm Pacific greetings. Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker for the opportunity to contribute to the Budget debate. This Budget is another step in Labour’s long-term programme of transforming New Zealand’s economy and society. It needs to be seen as one more step on a path towards improving the quality of life for all New Zealanders. 
When I first entered the House in 1999 the Opposition pushed the line that a Labour Government would not be able to manage the economy safely and that Dr Cullen’s credentials as a finance Minister were suspect. One good Budget was considered to be lucky and two a fluke. But as Dr Cullen’s prudent fiscal management and sound Budgets continued the Opposition’s criticism has sounded increasingly hollow. Seven years and seven Budgets later Dr Cullen has proven to be an outstanding finance Minister. He has managed the economy well delivered surpluses maintained growth established and invested in a superannuation fund and paid off the mortgage. Dr Cullen has demonstrated his comprehensive long-term vision for the health of New Zealand’s economy—a vision that is in sharp contrast with Dr Brash’s meddlesome tax cuts as the universal economic panacea. 
The proof of Dr Cullen’s prescription is self-evident. For the first time in New Zealand’s history our total financial assets exceed our financial liabilities. Our economy is in good health. The Budget is another in a long line of Budgets that build on each other transforming New Zealand’s economy and raising the living standards of all New Zealanders. I am sure Dr Cullen’s prudent fiscal management will continue well into the future. The choices were clear at the last election: tax cuts that would benefit the rich more than the poor or targeted tax relief that would benefit working New Zealanders with families. The country made its choice. It chose targeted tax relief Working for Families and interest-free student loans not tax cuts. 
On Saturday mornings at the Porirua market in my electorate many ordinary Kiwis come up to me and tell me how the quality of their lives has been changed by the policies of this Labour-led Government. The housing renewal project in Porirua East is improving the quality of daily life for many families large and small and for elderly people. 
This Government is making our families more safe and secure. Fundamental to that is having a decent home. More than 2000 homes will be added to the State housing stock over the next 4 years and we are increasing the investment in housing partnerships with local government and community organisations. The primary health organisations are providing affordable accessible health-care. Families can now afford the medicines prescribed for sick children or the elderly. Working for Families is putting more money in the pockets of families who have been finding it hard to make ends meet. The lowest unemployment in a generation means more families have parents who are in work and fewer people are on benefits. Most important young people are going to school feeling happier and more confident as a consequence of that. Sound Budgets over 7 years have made those improvements possible. 
When I became the MP for Mana I was appalled at the number of Porirua students who were leaving school without qualifications. That has changed. There has been a startling turn-round. Last year 77 percent of Porirua secondary school students left school with a qualification—up by 20 percent since 1999. What made the difference? When I spoke with Susanne Jungersen the principal of Porirua College she told me that students are coming to school ready to learn because their parents are in work. There is money at home because of family support and the Working for Families package they have access to affordable health-care through the primary health organisations and housing is improving and affordable. Kids are feeling happier because their families feel safe and secure. The improved quality of family life has contributed to Porirua College topping the National Certificate of Educational Achievement exam results for Mana. It was a great pleasure for me to visit Porirua College recently with our Minister of Education Steve Maharey to announce a major rebuilding programme that will bring the facilities at that college up to a good standard. 
This Government is investing in education. Total funding for New Zealand schools is now over $4 billion. Over the next 4 years we will invest another $361 million in our schools delivering more teachers new classrooms and new buildings and boosting the operational funding. In the 1990s Governments were more interested in delivering tax cuts to the wealthy than in investing in schools. Then school funding did not keep up with inflation. Since 1999 the Labour-led Government has addressed National’s deficit with a 31.7 percent funding increase for schools in real terms. Our Labour Government is managing the economy carefully and the people of Mana and all New Zealanders are benefiting from that. 
In the Budget debate the Prime Minister said this is an investment Budget—a Budget that invests in New Zealand and New Zealanders and that delivers on the promises Labour made to New Zealanders at the 2005 election. In Porirua City and up the Kapiti coast we are seeing the transformation of our economy. Business is doing well in Mana and Kapiti; my colleague Darren Hughes is from there. High-tech businesses are developing new products and exporting globally. 
 Last week Brent Albiston and Richard Thompson of Radiola Aerospace Ltd won the emerging gold business award for smaller enterprises. With fewer than 10 employees for the majority of last year that company is shining beyond its size. Radiola Aerospace is just one example of the growing innovative high-tech industries that are developing in the Porirua Basin. Brent Albiston also expressed his appreciation to me and our Government for the support that New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has given to his business. The sound economy is building opportunity and security for our families in Porirua City and up the Kapiti coast and for all New Zealanders. And what a great investment that is by our Labour-led Government! 
The Whitireia Community Polytechnic has developed a wonderful performing arts group which is developing a worldwide reputation and contributing to our unique Kiwi identity. 
I also want to acknowledge the tremendous contribution that local sportspeople have made to New Zealand’s identity. Michael Campbell and Jerry Collins are just two local boys who are making a big impact on the national and international sporting scene. I highlight Michael Campbell and Jerry Collins because they are two great examples of sportsmen who have maintained their connection with the grassroots at the same time as they have achieved international success. When Jerry Collins is not playing for the Hurricanes he turns out for Porirua’s Norths in the local competition. He is a great inspiration to many young men and women in Porirua East. And Michael Campbell just had to come back to Titahi Bay Golf Club after his US Open victory last year. He also contributes financially—and generously—back to New Zealand and to the Titahi Bay Golf Club by investing in the development of our junior golfers. Those two young men are humble high achievers. They are great role models of New Zealand’s unique identity. This Budget puts support into a range of programmes aimed at building our unique New Zealand identity and celebrating our values and our proud-to-be-Kiwis identity. 
In finishing I want to say that Dr Cullen’s seventh Budget delivers on Labour’s election promises and guarantees solutions to key regional issues including transport. Our careful fiscal management and investment allows us to maintain spending as the economy slows without jeopardising our debt targets. Transforming New Zealand’s economy and caring for our families young and old makes us very very proud to be Kiwis and New Zealanders. To our Labour-led Government we say thank you and we thank all New Zealanders.