11. Families Package—Reactions and TargetingPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentFamilies Package—Reactions and Targeting11. PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development: Will there be a social impact from the Families Package measures that came into effect on 1 July; if so what would it be?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): Yes. By 2020-21 around 384000 families with dependent children will be better off and approximately 650000 families without children. As of 1 July 26000 more families are eligible for Working for Families tax credits our Best Start tax credits are expected to benefit around 65000 children born in the year and around 1 million people will benefit from the new winter energy payment. There have also been increases to paid parental leave the orphans benefit the unsupported child's benefit and foster care allowance. As a result of our Families Package 64000 children will be lifted out of poverty by 2021. Priyanca Radhakrishnan: What feedback has she received from expectant parents? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I spoke to a number of expectant parents on Sunday. They expressed to me their excitement and relief. More than one couple stated the increases in paid parental leave Working for Families plus the Best Start payment will mean they now have the option of one parent staying home for longer with their newborn baby. Many couples also shared that these changes will go a long way towards lifting the financial pressure and making their job of raising children just that little bit easier. Priyanca Radhakrishnan: What reaction has she received regarding the winter energy payment?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I've received so much correspondence from individuals expressing their genuine gratitude for the difference this payment will make. One woman wrote Thank you very much for the winter energy payment. My son has autism and lives at home and gets supported living payment. I really appreciate that the Government cares about the least-privileged members of our community. Families affected by autism are often struggling so an extra help is great." Numerous organisations including UNICEF the Salvation Army and the Child Poverty Action Group have all expressed positivity towards our Families Package. The Children's Commissioner has said that this is an incredibly positive first step.Hon Louise Upston: How many people earning over $100000 per annum will receive the baby bonus?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We've been very clear that the Best Start payment in its first year is universal; in its second and third year at that point then it is means-tested and at $79000 it is abated. That to me is a very clear response to that member's question.SPEAKER: Well sorry; it's not to me.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I don't have the exact figures on me. However we have been very clear—it is no secret—that the first year of the Best Start payment is universal.Hon Louise Upston: How many people earning over $100000 per annum will receive the winter energy payment?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The exact same number that are currently eligible for superannuation and I do believe that that side of the House has not changed their view on superannuation being universal.Hon Chris Hipkins: Can the Minister confirm that fewer people earning over $100000 will benefit from the winter energy payment or the Best Start payment than would have benefited from the tax cuts that were repealed in order to pay for those things?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I think that's a very important point. Under the previous Government's proposal for the tax cuts $440 million would have gone to the top 10 percent of income earners and I think that's a very important differentiation to make."