Hamilton RyanRYAN HAMILTON (National—Hamilton East): Thank you Mr Speaker. It's great to actually come back to be able to speak on the actual bill and talk about the things that we have been doing and are restoring. While the Opposition seems to take from the successful and give to the poor—that is the way of achieving equality or equity—we in the coalition are in the process or in the business of equality of opportunity. We believe in incentives in education in reward for achievement and in keeping more of what you earn. We believe that staying on a benefit isn't conducive to your long-term wellbeing and setting up the next generation for success. That's why we're working on getting people into work so they can develop a sense of pride be a role model and fan the flame of mana within them.There's a few elephants in the room that I'd like to address I guess which provide context to the imprest supply allocations of the Budget because those allocations in the Budget are there because of the context which we find ourselves in. One of those is—it's like a myth buster. One of the Opposition loves to bring up tax cuts for the landlord—$2.9 billion tax cuts for the landlords. I just want to take a moment to analyse that and actually go well that tax wasn't there until they came in so really what we're doing is restoring the status quo like any other business structure around New Zealand that provides a taxable income. Then you have to ask yourself the question: did interest deductibility on rental incomes improve the housing situation across New Zealand?Hon Tama Potaka: No.RYAN HAMILTON: No. There were just more properties sitting empty because landlords were afraid to put tenants in them.But it gets better because I looked at a Stuff article from 26 February 2021 and there was analysis done. They questioned: Do you know how many Kiwis had only one rental?" Did you know there was only 77.9 percent; nearly 80 percent of Kiwis only own one rental. So that will be mums and dads aunties and uncles related in many cases to the Opposition. Those are the wealthy landlords and I quote "While popular perception had it that all landlords owned multiple properties and reaped big capital gains as a result the bond data suggested this was not true. Most of the landlords in the country are very much small-time operators many of whom have the majority of their life savings in that property." Mum and dad investors—which brings us back to the squeezed middle class. Now actually part of the working class has now incorporated some of that middle class because of fiscal drag. Hence the need for measured and meaningful tax reductions so they can keep more of the money they earn.The Budget delivers on many key commitments. For the first time as we've heard tonight in 14 years—that's a decade plus four years—hard-working New Zealanders will get to keep more of their own money through our Government's tax relief. This Budget is for everyday people getting on with their lives the mums and dads taking their kids to school and working hard.This Budget is for the people whose weekly budget expenses has now gone up by $300 or $400 a week because of mortgage increases. This is a Budget for the squeezed middle of New Zealand—the shift workers the people working multiple jobs and making sacrifices for their kids. This should be Parliament's focus every day and we should be measuring a positive difference in the lives of New Zealanders not just how much money we spend.The Budget update expects core Crown tax revenue to be lower by around $18.5 billion and yet we were able to deliver a significant Budget that will bring us back into surplus in four years' time. After stripping out large one-off expenses and adjusting for the economic cycle the Treasury estimates a structural operating deficit of around 1.5 percent of GDP this financial year.And according to our great Hon Minister Nicola Willis "structural deficit" is a technical term. To put it less formally New Zealand has been borrowing to pay for the groceries. Yet since 2010 inflation has pushed up wages in nominal terms and as a result people pay more of their income in tax. The median full-time wage salary earner now earns $73000 a year and is in one of the highest tax brackets. A minimum-wage worker can face a marginal tax rate of 30 percent. Fortunately we sorted that a couple of weeks ago and at the end of July that will come into effect. We want people to keep more of the money they earn.People's individual and family circumstances differ widely and if you haven't yet availed yourself may I encourage you to check out our tax calculator. And analysis from Treasury shows an estimated 727000 households will benefit from at least $75 a fortnight. That's about $150 a month—Hon Peeni Henare: Missing $100.RYAN HAMILTON: —$150 a month and that would be enough to take your missus out on a hot date I reckon. You take your partner out for a date—and may I recommend a couple of restaurants Mr Speaker? If you're in Hamilton East Thyme Square Restaurant or Sage on Grey Street and keep the flame alight in that romantic love light. You might want to take your kids out tenpin bowling and get an ice cream at Duck Island. Or it's an extra kilogram block of cheese bread milk meat and chicken nourishing New Zealand - raised protein sports uniforms or a McChicken after netball with your grandparents who came and watched. We have heard that some people say that tax relief only benefits the well off but we know that's simply not true.Tax relief in this Budget puts $3.7 billion back a year into the pockets of New Zealanders. This tax relief is fully funded— Scott Willis: And $3 billion to landlords.RYAN HAMILTON: —Fully funded. Did you not hear my first part on landlords? It's probably your mum or your dad or your granddad.I'm going to jump down to one of the other myth busters because we've put a significant investment in law and order in this Budget. And again why? Because of the context. I didn't understand—I still struggle. Why did Labour say let's reduce the prison population by 30 percent? I just couldn't work it out. So like all non-academics I googled it. In the New Zealand Herald on 19 September 2023 former Minister Kelvin Davis was quoted: "When we became government at the end of 2017 our prisons were bursting at the seams." "That was a trajectory the New Zealand public would never accept so we set a goal to reduce the prison population." They didn't set a goal to reduce the impacts of crime or the causes just to reduce the prison population.Asked if today's pivot because remember then at the last minute last year the Labour Party reduced that—they removed that. Asked if today's pivot was because of criticism linking the reduced prison population to increased crime Hipkins replied "Our overall goal here is to reduce offending in the first place." But it's a little bit too late. So our Government has committed to cracking down on crime and keeping communities safe so people can go about their lives in peace. In Budget 2024 we're investing $2.9 billion in restoring law and order including $497 million of reprioritisation which was savings from the existing Budget.This Budget delivers on the commitment made in the National - New Zealand First coalition agreement to add 500 additional front-line police officers. Investment of $226 million will fund their recruitment and retention and ensure they are properly equipped to do their job. A further $425 million will support front-line policing including boosting police and purchasing vehicles. Our Government always backs the police. The Government's commitment to restoring law and order means ensuring there are serious consequences for serious offenders. As previously announced Budget 2024 will invest $1.9 billion in more front-line corrections officers more support for offenders to turn away from crime more prison capacity including an expansion of Waikeria Prison. The Budget also invests $69 million to address serious youth offending including a military-style academy pilot and continuing the fast-track youth offending programme run by Oranga Tamariki and Police.This is exciting and I guess in conclusion I will just summarise a few of our key Budget things. If I haven't already mentioned with your tax relief you're welcome to come to Thyme Square Restaurant or Sage in Grey St Hamilton East. In fact an offer to members of the Opposition—in fact anyone in this House if you come before 31 July I'll throw in a free glass of wine. Compliments. They're not going to vote for me. Tax relief for hard working New Zealanders: our tax reforms aren't just about numbers; they're about putting more money into your pocket. Imagine that extra coffee or a few more groceries. Picture a nurse comforting a patient a teacher inspiring young minds or a police officer patrolling our streets. These are the heroes we're backing. Hospitals schools and law enforcement agencies will receive targeted funding to enhance services where they matter most. Tax relief for the squeezed middle. How about our top-up to the multi-year capital allowance of $7 billion so we can invest in the infrastructure needed for future growth and resilience. I'm so proud to commend this bill to the House."