Young Jonathan: Budget Debate 
Young Jonathan: Budget Debate 
[Volume:664;Page:11694] 
JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) 
: 
 This Budget has received wide support in New Zealand through rebalancing our tax system and putting more money back into people’s pockets. At a time when internationally many countries are looking at increasing taxes we have substantially reduced them across the board. As important as putting more money into people’s pockets is this Budget has created incentives for people to be aspirational in developing their skills to seek better jobs and to be paid higher wages and salaries. 
The significant across-the-board tax cuts in the Budget are not just about giving people more money but also about providing the right opportunities and incentives to self-improve and get ahead. This will encourage people to get more skills and to get better-paying jobs and work over time. This is very much part of the Kiwi can-do ethos that people can get out there and with hard work and determination better themselves. They do not need to be dependent on the State although there will always be those people who are and whom we need to care for. But before we can do that as a State we need to have robust and strong businesses. Before we can have people improving themselves and getting ahead with improved skills and better work opportunities we need to have robust and strong workplaces. 
Sitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. 
JONATHAN YOUNG 
: I will speak of two remarkable facts. Firstly two-thirds of the cost of personal income tax has gone towards reducing the bottom two rates. That takes the current 12.5 percent rate down to 10.5 percent and the 21 percent rate down to 17.5 percent. In other words two-thirds of the tax cuts apply to people on incomes below $48000. Secondly 73 percent of income earners will face a statutory income tax rate of 17.5 percent or less. For those near the top of that income range this tax rate has almost halved—down from 33 percent in just 2 years. 
One member of the public said to John Key: “Good Budget in my thinking. Get the country earning more than it spends (note to self). As individuals and as an economy shift to productive investment. Let’s get the country cranking. Keep up the good work.” There is an inherent sense that in such a resource-rich country with such resourceful people we can do better and this Budget aims to enable people to do better. It is aspirational. Not only does it help people right across the board in every tax regime but also it creates incentives for people to upskill improve their situation work hard and be rewarded for their effort. A member of the public said to Bill English the Minister of Finance: “Keep up the good work Bill. The Budget you have produced will move New Zealand forward and was long overdue. I appreciate all the hard work you do.” 
First and foremost this Budget is about achieving faster and sustainable economic growth. That is the most important thing because it is the only way we can get the higher-paying jobs and the opportunities in this country for hard-working Kiwis. 
Astonishingly although we had nearly a decade of very good economic environment our recent track record has been poor and that was even before the global recession hit New Zealand. We were already in recession and before that growth was paltry. We relied too much on borrowing consumption and unsustainable increases in spending. This Budget will help turn that round so that we have faster growth from savings exports and productive investment. 
One particular area that we feel is very important is law and order. That remains a major area where this Government is focusing on things that matter to all New Zealanders. The Government promised 300 more police on the streets of Counties-Manukau by the end of 2010 and 300 more for the rest of New Zealand by the end of 2011. Since November 2008 New Zealand police numbers have grown by 350 and we are on track to achieve the 600 additional officers by the end of 2011. This Government is delivering on its promise of ensuring that our police are well resourced well trained and well supported. Thank you.