Russell DeborahDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn): What a miserable lot they are on the Opposition benches—a miserable pessimistic negative lot. Oh no oh no unemployment is down to 3.2 percent and they think that's terrible! Mr Goldsmith says that growth is predicted to be only 9 percent and that's a terrible thing! They are a miserable mean lot seeing only the dark underbelly of everything because that suits them. Now we know there is an inflation problem and it is worldwide. I'd like to point out that just yesterday economist Shamubeel Eaqub said it was economically illiterate" to sheet it home to the Government here. Well the economic illiterates on the other side of the House might like to pretend that inflation is caused here in New Zealand alone but we know it is a worldwide problem and we know it is caused by worldwide issues. Whether or not it is caused by worldwide issues it is our job on this side of the House to help New Zealanders get through and that is exactly what we are doing. Benefits went up on 1 April. We have the winter energy payment to help superannuitants and people who are on benefit. The minimum wage has gone up. That's all stuff to help people get through. In this Budget we are making a contribution to the cost of living for ordinary New Zealanders for 2.1 million New Zealanders who will get a contribution to help them through these winter months—$350 going to 2.1 million New Zealanders. It's going to students. It's going to people on the minimum wage. It's going to those who work two or three jobs just trying to get by. It's going to ordinary people and it will help them.So let me tell you what people have said about this. Let's start with some of the big picture stuff. Now in terms of whether or not it's an effective and good measure let's talk to I don't know ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner. That would be the ANZ that is chaired by the former Leader of the Opposition by the former Prime Minister Sir John Key. What does this wonderful person say? She says well actually good fiscal policy "should be targeted and temporary and these cost of living pressures are we're all hoping going to ease whereas a tax cut is of course for the long run". In other words she supports it. She says "This is a one-off payment that can be repeated if necessary and it's actually more flexible in that regard than a tax cut would be." That's from the ANZ chief economist.Morgan Godfery who lectures at the University of Otago Business School says that the cost of living payment is "a necessary recognition that a large number of New Zealanders are doing it tough … Targeting that payment to the 2 million New Zealanders who are likely struggling with all kinds of rising costs—whether it's fuel whether it's housing costs—I think is both necessary and sensible." That's what people are saying about the overall fiscal nature of this particular payment.In terms of whether or not it would add to inflation well University of Otago senior lecturer in economics Dr Murat Üngör doesn't think that it'll add to extra pressure on inflation. It is a great measured announcement. That's what some of the people commenting on the economics of it are saying. But what are ordinary people saying—what are ordinary people saying? Here it is: "Arrowtown woman Jo Scott was shopping at Countdown Andersons Bay in Dunedin yesterday and said it was 'outrageous' how much the cost of food had gone up."—we all know that. "She said the payment would be a 'big help'. Another shopper Ann Cottrell of Dunedin said the payment would be 'marvellous'." Ordinary people are welcoming this assistance with their costs of living. It is welcomed on the streets and that's where that side of the House is simply out of touch. Over on this side of the House we know we need to help. We are doing what we can to help people get through. This is a measured and sensible response to the temporary cost of living pressures. I am so glad to be able to commend this bill to the House."