3. Question No. 3—FinanceKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. KIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour) to the Minister of Finance: What reactions has he seen to Budget 2019?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The coalition Government has received an overwhelming response from the people of New Zealand to the Wellbeing Budget. There's been a vast amount of correspondence but in the interest of a concise answer one person with a background—SPEAKER: Chance would be a fine thing.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: —in mental health work emailed us to say For years I have desired a greater prevention approach to wellbeing especially through mental health education for our rangatahi in primary and intermediate schools. I am impressed and relieved by the prevention focus of this Budget particularly for mental health and justice and utterly delighted to see that resilience will be taught to our tamariki through our schools. I am immensely grateful for your commitment to the people of Aotearoa". I'm proud to be part of a Government that has put the wellbeing of New Zealanders at the heart of everything we do.Kiritapu Allan: What international reactions has he seen to the Wellbeing Budget?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In its report on the Wellbeing Budget credit-rating agency Moody's said that "[the] budget highlights [this Government's high] fiscal flexibility demonstrating its ability to raise spending while maintaining its commitment to preserving budgetary surpluses and reducing debt further over the next five years. This underpins the government's very high fiscal strength and supports the broader credit profile." Meanwhile perhaps somewhat surprisingly one global business leader Richard Branson called this year's Budget "A brilliant blueprint for the rest of the world." It is pleasing to see international recognition that this Government can make significant investments in the wellbeing of New Zealanders while managing the books responsibly.Kiritapu Allan: What responses has he seen from social sector organisations to the Wellbeing Budget?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Just to choose a couple the Salvation Army said that "This wellbeing Budget with its greater socioeconomic approach is a step on the path towards lifting New Zealanders out of poverty. We welcome the Government's focus on our most vulnerable communities including those with mental health and addiction issues children and families in challenging situations and Māori." Meanwhile the Children's Commissioner said that the Wellbeing Budget "takes seriously the need for a step-change in the way we support the wellbeing of New Zealand children". What is clear is that avowedly and explicitly this is a Budget prepared through the lens of children something unheard of previously. I repeat: I am very proud of this Budget.Hon Amy Adams: Has he seen reaction to Budget 2019 that describes cancer patients the hearing impaired and maternity services as big losers in this Budget and calling the Budget disappointing or doesn't he read those stories?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I know that every Minister of Finance gets both positive and negative reactions. We're working very hard in the area of the Ministry of Health's work across all of the areas that the member mentions but it is somewhat reflective on the Opposition that they are so negative about such a great Budget."