David Coates Labour Spokesman for Rakaia

18 May 2006

What’s in Budget 2006 for you?

For many, Budget time means just another list of new services and funding from Finance Minister Dr Michael Cullen, announcements which mean nothing to ordinary people. However, the Government is committed to creating and supporting a better future for all New Zealanders. David Coates, Rakaia’s Labour spokesman and resident of Darfield, says, “Budget 2006 will affect the citizens of the Selwyn and Ashburton Districts in many positive ways.”

Are you part of a family? * $9 million extra investment in family violence prevention services, a 20% increase, through the Ministry of Social Development. There are 7,557 families with children in the Selwyn District and 7,248 in the Ashburton District.

Do you own a business? * $11.5 million to fund a Buy Kiwi-Made programme, providing a real boost for New Zealand businesses, through the Ministry of Economic Development. There are 1,806 businesses in the Selwyn District and 1,947 in the Ashburton District.

Are you involved in primary production? * $33.2 million extra funding for biosecurity, significantly strengthening our ability to safeguard our major export earners from pests and diseases, from the Ministry of Biosecurity. 24% of Ashburton District residents are employed in the District’s 2,038 agricultural and fisheries businesses. There are 1,523 businesses in this sector in the Selwyn District, employing 19.9% of residents.

Are you involved in education? * $300,000 for the National Library, allowing it to expand its collection storage facilities, plus a capital injection of $18 million earmarked for 2008/2009. This will benefit all residents who want to learn more about our country from our rich literary resources.

Do you care about the environment? * $4.5 million to clean up contaminated sites, recognising that investment in the environment will preserve the New Zealand way of life, through Vote Environment. This will benefit all who like to breathe clean air, use clean water and grow food in clean soil.

Do you go fishing? * $8.2 million to improve the management of fisheries resources and protection of the marine environment, developed region by region through working with communities. This will also benefit consumers of fish and those who fish commercially.

Do you value our heritage? * $12.8 million of additional operating funding to the Historic Places Trust over the next four years, though the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage, plus new capital funding of $3.2 million to support activities such as refurbishing its heritage buildings. This will benefit the 44 registered historic buildings in the Ashburton District and the 39 in the Selwyn District.

There are many more funding initiatives in Budget 2006. You can find out about these from your local media or from the Parliamentary website, www.parliament.govt.nz.

The Labour-led Government’s policy is not solely about individual benefit. David Coates says, “Budget 2006 will advantage this country as a whole. After all, happy and healthy kids means well-educated and responsible adults who will contribute to this country in positive ways. Protecting and enhancing the environment now will mean a beautiful country is still here for our descendants to enjoy in the future. If the National Party had been allowed to implement their proposed tax changes of last year, there would now be $11 billion less to spend on creating a safe, sustainable and prosperous outlook for all New Zealanders. The Labour Party is committed to positive investment in this country’s future.”

Note: Sources include the New Zealand Government, the Labour Party of New Zealand, Statistics New Zealand (figures are from the 2001 Census and the 2004 Business Survey), and the Historic Places Trust.

ENDS

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