Protest Planned for Prime Minister's Post-Budget Speech

Tuesday 13 May

Auckland Action Against Poverty will hold a protest at John Key's post-budget speech at Sky City on May 16.

“The National government has shown its commitment to promoting the interests of its wealthy mates time and time again,” says AAAP spokesperson Alastair Russell.

“In 2010, the budget announced $2 billion of tax cuts, giving the Telecom CEO an extra $290,000 a year. This budget also increased GST to 15 per cent, thereby increasing daily living costs and canceling out any tax cuts to beneficiaries and working people.

“In 2011 and 2012 there were so-called zero budgets, spending $900 million on a private prison and cuts to childcare of $170 million.

“On May 14 2013, Finance Minister Bill English declared: 'We don't believe there is a solution to poverty in general so I wouldn't expect there to be any large-scale intervention.'”

Mr. Russell adds: “Since this acknowledgment by the Finance Minister that his government has no intention of addressing poverty, we have seen the actions of Maurice Williamson and Judith Collins protecting their rich mates. We now know that if you have money, you can buy time with Cabinet ministers through the Cabinet Club.

“This is a government of inclusion for the rich and exclusion for the poor,” says Mr. Russell.

“Every year in May, we see where Government priorities lie. The Government has already announced $100 million extra funding for defense will be a part of this year’s Budget. How is it there are the millions at disposal for military technology but vulnerable families are going hungry?”

“On May 16, John Key will deliver a post-budget speech to an audience of the wealthy at Sky City. We know his government's budget will again have no solution to the poverty affecting thousands of New Zealanders. We will let John Key know that this is unacceptable.”

The protest is to start at 11.45 am on Friday May 16, at Sky City Convention Centre, 88 Federal Street, Auckland.

ENDS

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