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Labour Leader - Budget 2008: a fair economy for a strong future

Party: Labour

Sender: Helen Clark <[email protected]>

Date Received: 2008-05-23 16:10

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Budget 2008:
a fair economy and a strong future

Welcome to the 2nd e-version of Labour Leader.

This edition is a ‘Budget Special’. Links to many of the announcements are included in the email below, including a link to the budget calculator, which you can use to calculate your tax cut.

I’m proud of yesterday’s budget. It is fair and responsible; it helps individuals and families; it keeps our economy strong, and; it invests in the future.

In the budget we’re making sure that all Kiwi taxpayers, including superannuitants, benefit from tax cuts on 1 October, with further cut in 2010 and 2011. These tax cuts will help meet at least some of the increased costs of living which I know are putting a lot of pressure on household budgets.

We’ve been careful to make sure the tax cuts don’t come at the expense of public services like education and health, or investment in the future such as rebuilding rail and faster broadband internet.

I believe the tax cuts are affordable and responsible because Labour has been a careful manager of the economy over the past 8 ½ years. And to avoid putting pressure on mortgage interest rates we’re introducing them over three years.

We also keep on investing in programmes which reduce costs to families – like affordable doctor’s fees, lower prescription charges and 20 Hours Free early childhood education. And we can step up our major investment in the Working for Families tax credits.

To find out more about the details of the budget I’ve included brief summaries below, which link to more information on the Labour.org.nz website.

Helen Clark

In This Issue

Personal tax
Transforming our economy
Health
Transport
Education
Older Kiwis
Modern Justice
Housing
Students

Personal tax

From 1 October cuts to personal tax will help individuals and families meet at least some of the increased costs of living. Further cuts to personal tax will happen in 2010 and 2011.

Calculate your personal tax cut.

Transforming our economy

This year’s Budget includes a major investment that will mean $500 million is spent over the next five years in developing a truly competitive, world-class broadband network in New Zealand. It also funds the largest ever public investment in science and research and a major step forward in boosting the skills of our workforce through a programme which the business community, workers and government will progress together.

Health

Budget 2008 invests an extra $750 million in health care for all New Zealanders including more funding for elective surgery, investing in primary and public health, and focussing on children and youth – where early intervention counts the most.

Transport

Budget 2008 builds on the Labour-led government’s record investment in transport, with more funding for road, rail, air and public transport. Highlights include new funding for projects in Canterbury, Northland and Tairawhiti.

Education

The Labour-led government believes that investing in young kiwis is the best way to secure opportunity and prosperity in the future. That’s why in Budget 2008 we are increasing operating grants to schools, investing in 762 more teachers, 9 new schools, smaller class sizes, more technology, 130 new classrooms, and more.

Older Kiwis

Budget 2008 continues this government’s record investment to support older New Zealanders from Superannuation levels, rates rebates, increased carer support and community services, to free off peak travel. And superannuitants also benefit from personal tax cuts in the budget.

Modern Justice

Budget 2008 Budget focuses on strengthening the justice system and ensure that New Zealanders live in safe and responsive communities. Funding includes more resourcing for the Police Force and investment in Auckland’s courts system.

Housing

Living in decent, affordable housing is fundamental to the health and well being of families and communities. Budget 2008 provides funding for building new, affordable homes, funding for a new Shared Equity Scheme, and the insulation of all state owned houses to make them warmer, healthier and more energy efficient.

Students

Budget 2008 brings more student allowances, more scholarships and more loan support to students. The Labour-led government is continuing our commitment to help ease the burden on students as you invest in the knowledge and skills to drive New Zealand forward.

To stop recieving this Labour Leader email click here to unsubscribe.

Labour Leader, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Phone: 04 473 3579, Email: [Email]
Labour Party Head Office, PO Box 784, Wellington
Phone: 04 384 7649, Fax: 04 384 8060, Email: [Email] Authorised by Mike Smith, 73 Brougham St, Wellington

Text Version

=================================================================
LABOUR LEADER - BUDGET 2008: A FAIR ECONOMY FOR A STRONG FUTURE
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This email is best viewed in your web browser. Click the link
below to see it:
http://helenclarkprimeminister.createsend1.com/t/1/e/cydul/jdojtul/
In this issue:
=================================================================
- Personal tax
- Transforming our economy
- Health
- Transport
- Education
- Older Kiwis
- Modern Justice
- Housing
- Students
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Budget 2008:
a fair economy and a strong future
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the 2nd e-version of Labour Leader.
This edition is a 'Budget Special'. Links to many of the
announcements are included in the email below, including a link
to the budget calculator, which you can use to calculate your tax
cut.
I'm proud of yesterday's budget. It is fair and responsible; it
helps individuals and families; it keeps our economy strong, and;
it invests in the future.
In the budget we're making sure that all Kiwi taxpayers,
including superannuitants, benefit from tax cuts on 1 October,
with further cut in 2010 and 2011. These tax cuts will help meet
at least some of the increased costs of living which I know are
putting a lot of pressure on household budgets.
We've been careful to make sure the tax cuts don't come at the
expense of public services like education and health, or
investment in the future such as rebuilding rail and faster
broadband internet.
I believe the tax cuts are affordable and responsible because
Labour has been a careful manager of the economy over the past 8
½ years. And to avoid putting pressure on mortgage interest
rates we're introducing them over three years.
We also keep on investing in programmes which reduce costs to
families – like affordable doctor's fees, lower prescription
charges and 20 Hours Free early childhood education. And we can
step up our major investment in the Working for Families tax
credits.
To find out more about the details of the budget I've included
brief summaries below, which link to more information on the
Labour.org.nz [http://www.labour.org.nz] website.
Helen Clark
Personal tax
-----------------------------------------------------------------
From 1 October cuts to personal tax will help individuals and
families meet at least some of the increased costs of living.
Further cuts to personal tax will happen in 2010 and 2011.
Calculate your personal tax cut.
[http://www.labour.org.nz/calculator/index.htm]
Transforming our economy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This year's Budget includes a major investment that will mean
$500 million is spent over the next five years in developing a
truly competitive, world-class broadband network in New Zealand.
It also funds the largest ever public investment in science and
research and a major step forward in boosting the skills of our
workforce through a programme which the business community,
workers and government will progress together.more
[http://labour.org.nz/features/22052008_Feature_economic_transformation.html]
Health
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Budget 2008 invests an extra $750 million in health care for all
New Zealanders including more funding for elective surgery,
investing in primary and public health, and focussing on children
and youth – where early intervention counts the most.more
[http://labour.org.nz/features/22052008_Feature_health.html]
Transport
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Budget 2008 builds on the Labour-led government's record
investment in transport, with more funding for road, rail, air
and public transport. Highlights include new funding for projects
in Canterbury, Northland and Tairawhiti.
more
[http://labour.org.nz/features/22052008_Feature_Transport.html]
Education
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Labour-led government believes that investing in young kiwis
is the best way to secure opportunity and prosperity in the
future. That's why in Budget 2008 we are increasing operating
grants to schools, investing in 762 more teachers, 9 new schools,
smaller class sizes, more technology, 130 new classrooms, and
more.more
[http://labour.org.nz/features/22052008_Feature_education.html]
Older Kiwis
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Budget 2008 continues this government's record investment to
support older New Zealanders from Superannuation levels, rates
rebates, increased carer support and community services, to free
off peak travel. And superannuitants also benefit from personal
tax cuts in the budget.more
[http://labour.org.nz/features/22052008_Feature_older_kiwis.html]
Modern Justice
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Budget 2008 Budget focuses on strengthening the justice system
and ensure that New Zealanders live in safe and responsive
communities. Funding includes more resourcing for the Police
Force and investment in Auckland's courts system.more
[http://labour.org.nz/features/22052008_Feature_modern_justice.html]
Housing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Living in decent, affordable housing is fundamental to the health
and well being of families and communities. Budget 2008 provides
funding for building new, affordable homes, funding for a new
Shared Equity Scheme, and the insulation of all state owned
houses to make them warmer, healthier and more energy
efficient.more
[http://labour.org.nz/features/22052008_Feature_housing.html]
Students
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Budget 2008 brings more student allowances, more scholarships and
more loan support to students. The Labour-led government is
continuing our commitment to help ease the burden on students as
you invest in the knowledge and skills to drive New Zealand
forward.more
[http://labour.org.nz/features/22052008_Feature_students.html]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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to instantly unsubscribe:
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Thanks,
Helen Clark (Prime Minister)