8. H V ROSS ROBERTSON (Labour—Manukau East) Link to this
to the Minister for Senior Citizens
Which goals and actions of the Positive Ageing Strategy does Budget 2010 not contribute towards, and why?
Hon JOHN CARTER (Minister for Senior Citizens) Link to this
Budget 2010 is good news for recipients of New Zealand superannuation, and therefore contributes towards all 10 goals of New Zealand’s Positive Ageing Strategy. In addition to receiving an income tax cut, recipients of New Zealand superannuation will be fully and permanently compensated for the increase in GST from 1 October 2010. This means that people who receive New Zealand superannuation will get a considerable increase in their after-tax income. I suggest that the member goes to www.taxguide.govt.nz and clicks on “I receive New Zealand super or veterans pension”, the large blue square two down on the left, if he wants to see how much better off recipients of New Zealand superannuation will be.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
Can he therefore tell the House how Budget 2010 contributes to objective 3.2 of the Positive Ageing Strategy: “Provide adequate assistance towards the cost of local authority rates.”, when it has slashed $58 million from the rates rebate scheme, which could have helped thousands of senior New Zealanders remain in their homes and live comfortably and securely?
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
Can he therefore tell the House how Budget 2010 contributes to the second goal of the Positive Ageing Strategy of “Equitable, timely, affordable and accessible health services for older people” when the Government has not given district health boards enough funding to even stand still, so they will inevitably have to make further health cuts that will include home help services for the elderly, which have already been slashed up and down the country?
Thanks to the very good leadership by the very good Minister of Health, Mr Tony Ryall, this Government has given the biggest share of GDP to health of any Government, ever.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
Can he therefore tell the House what fight, if any, and what leadership he showed, and whether he put up on behalf of the seniors of New Zealand, who, because of this Budget and other Government measures, are now facing a $5 a week increase in their power bills, increases in the cost of their food, increases in petrol costs and in doctors’ bills, and a long, cold winter under this Tory Government?