5. MARTIN GALLAGHER (Labour—Hamilton West) Link to this
to the Minister of Local Government
What reports, if any, has he received on the uptake of the Rates Rebate Scheme?
Hon MARK BURTON (Minister of Local Government) Link to this
I can advise that by the end of this week, for the 2006-07 financial year ratepaying Kiwi households will have rebated approximately $50 million. That is a seventyfold increase in Government funding, when compared with rebates for the 2005-06 financial year. The expanded scheme has proved a success for tens of thousands of New Zealand ratepaying households, particularly those on fixed or lower incomes such as the elderly.
Yes. I have seen a report of a recent speech made by a politician to the Local Government New Zealand conference that described John Key’s proposals as, to quote the Otago Daily Times editorial, “irritatingly non-committal”. It said that Mr Key vaguely suggested “there would be more money for local authorities”—more money, I note again—“but did not say why, where it was coming from, or how much, or what it would be for.” In contrast, this Government, through initiatives such as the Rates Rebate Scheme, Working for Families, and KiwiSaver, is helping New Zealand families to build secure futures.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Has the Minister noted within the reports on the uptake of the Rates Rebate Scheme that many eligible people were not claiming a rebate because of embarrassment at having to reveal personal income information to their local councils, often to people who live in their close vicinity, and if he has, does he believe some changes are required to the way the system operates?
Although there has not been a high level of reporting of that concern, certainly there is some indication of it. One of the things with the massive increase in the utilisation of the scheme is that I have officials reviewing a number of factors, to look at whether we have got it just right or whether further refinements can be made in order to ensure that as many people as possible make use of their entitlement.