Robson Matt: Budget Debate 
Robson Matt: Budget Debate 
[Volume:618;Page:13733] 
Hon MATT ROBSON (Deputy Leader—Progressive) 
: 
 When listening to some of the speakers on our Government side of the House I have often wondered what the “led party” is when they talk of the “Labour-led Government”. I checked with the Parliamentary Library and the coalition Government was formed between the Labour Party and the Progressive party. There was no “led party” as part of that and United Future has given its support for confidence and supply. Perhaps there is a “swinging the lead party” which would probably go as an accolade to New Zealand First but I am pleased to announce that there is no “led party”. I am also pleased to report that a number of my Labour colleagues have stopped talking about the “led party” because I know it does not exist. 
I know they have stopped because I have been getting some odd mail. I got an odd letter in my mailbox the other day outlining the virtues of the Labour Budget. The Parliamentary Service - funded document asked me what financial gains were available to my family in Labour’s Budget. I did the calculations and discovered there is no financial gain for my family in this Budget. Therefore I could not be voting Labour at the next election whenever that may be but I will vote for the continuation of the Labour-Progressive coalition Government because that Budget says to me that I have a very good reason to vote for that coalition. 
I want to outline why I am pleased to support the Labour-Progressive Budget that is being discussed here today. It is the most forward-looking or progressive Budget of the five Budgets delivered by the minority coalition Government since we came to office 5 years ago. Budget 2004 includes a significant amount of investment in programmes designed to promote the transformation and strengthening of the economy because this progressive coalition Government knows that ongoing social and economic progress go hand in hand. 
The key to understanding the Labour-Progressive Budget is to appreciate that its value lies in the work it permits in propelling the transformation of the base of the New Zealand economy on to a higher level. Budget 2004 takes a comprehensive approach to economic development. It is focused on strengthening and deepening New Zealand’s connections with the world economy. In other words it helps us to do a better job of selling to the rest of the world high-value high-skilled products that customers overseas want to buy. 
There is $500 million over 4 years in this Budget—that is half a billion dollars—to help to unleash New Zealanders’ creativity and talent. We are in a position to start to invest more in the financial welfare of our nation’s children and in our families because we are investing adequately in our people’s talents creativity and enterprise. In other words we are playing a constructive part as a Government in helping New Zealanders build the foundations for a stronger economy to sustain future social investment in our people. The social dividend is important. 
Our broad approach is not limited to the economic development portfolio. It is across the board: commerce small business finance education science and technology immigration and a number of related portfolios. In this heated atmosphere on immigration it would be worthwhile for members to pause and to think of the contribution of migrants in so many ways to our economy and to remember that just because the leader of New Zealand First discovers a set of allegations unproven and untested he therefore says that there is an economic crisis. One swallow does not a summer make nor allegations often unfounded by the notorious leader of New Zealand First against the immigrant population of New Zealand. 
This Labour-Progressive Government is investing in science and in the education sector. This Budget signals another dramatic improvement in early childhood education and another $54 million in the war on drug pedlars. We are investing to make tertiary education more affordable. It is a Budget to be proud of. The Labour-Progressive Government holds 53 seats in this House. I therefore acknowledge with respect the vote of confidence from United Future’s eight members. From what I know of the manifesto of the Green Party it should consider voting for this Budget.