Budget will be solid and sound, says Cullen

"Very solid, very sound" is how Finance Minister Michael Cullen today described Thursday's budget.

Dr Cullen today saw the finished product at the factory where it has been printed in Petone, Wellington, and admired the design and colour.

"That's a nice, strong, red colour," he said as it rolled off the printer.

Dr Cullen is promising no surprises in the budget.

"I anticipate, as always, in terms of the kind of budget I like to write that there's going to be equal and opposite reactions," he said.

"Some people will be disappointed that we haven't cut the revenue and other people will be disappointed we haven't spent more."

Overall, the budget was "very, solid, very sound" and designed to look ahead, he said.

- NZPA

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