1. Question No. 1—FinanceHon BARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Finance1. Hon BARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement The rising number of visitors to our tax calculator reflects Kiwis' keen interest in understanding how the Budget will personally [affect] them through the savings we've achieved and the tax relief we're implementing"; if so how many of the 513000 people that have used the calculator are unique individuals?Hon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister of Finance): Yes. Look I thank the member for her question because I absolutely stand by that statement. To the second part the 513000 refers to users. I've been advised that the calculator has now been used by 517024 users up 3928 users since just yesterday. Separately to the question I am advised that the number of users is different from the number of views. The number of views is far greater at 759588. I'm also advised that in the Wellington region alone in which her electorate is based there have been more than 65000 unique users of the website. So I'm advised that the one person sitting at home on their computer or phone looking over and over again at how much tax relief they will get and thanking the Government for standing up for working people represents just one user.Hon Barbara Edmonds: How many of those users that have viewed the calculator found out that they are in fact worse off because of her tax cuts.Hon NICOLA WILLIS: That number would be extremely small. The reason for that is that there is as the member has previously been advised a small group of people around 5000 who will receive no reduction in the income they get each fortnight—they will receive the same income—but who at the end of the year may be eligible for a slightly lower tax refund.Hon Barbara Edmonds: How many if any will personally benefit by receiving the full $250 as promised by the leader of the National Party?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Well I'm advised that more than 3.5 million New Zealanders will benefit from tax reduction. The amount of tax reduction will vary depending on their personal and family circumstances which is why I recommend they visit the tax calculator. And I'm advised that fewer than 3000 people would benefit from $250 a fortnight.Hon Barbara Edmonds: How many if any will personally benefit by receiving the full $271 as promised in her Tax at a Glance brochure?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: I don't have that information. But actually that scenario was not one that I campaigned on. It was a scenario that when I was advised by my tax officials I said "Well look the maximum anyone could get is $250." They said "No Minister you're wrong. Aome people will benefit by more." And I said "Isn't that great?" At the same time I thought to myself "Isn't it sad that members opposite have voted against every single dollar of tax relief?"Hon Barbara Edmonds: How many users that have used the calculator are net better-off under her Budget when some are facing a $45 per week increase in insurance an average of 9.6 percent increase in rates higher prescription fees and higher public transport costs?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Every single New Zealander is better off with a Government that's getting on with rebuilding the economy who's getting on with restoring value for money in Government spending. If the member wants to cry crocodile tears about not enough tax relief why did she vote against it? Working people will remember that."