Budget 09: 'Boring, skinny, moderate', say commentators

Analysts have given a reaction to Bill English's first Budget which is effectively a communal shrug.

They see the moves announced by the National Government, such as dropping tax cuts and putting Super contributions on hold, as predictable and pragmatic if unexciting.

The public's initial reaction has been similar, with some people spoken to by nzherald.co.nz accepting hard decisions had to be made during a recession while others were annoyed they would no longer be receiving tax cuts. (See video to right.)

In early voting on an nzherald.co.nz poll, however, 69 per cent of people said Mr English had got it "just right" as opposed to 24 per cent who thought he had been "mean" and 7 per cent "generous".

Herald business columnist Fran O'Sullivan pulled no punches in her initial reaction, saying: "Bill English's first Budget is a bit like its author: Predictable and down-to-earth to the point of boredom."

Audrey Young, the Herald's political editor added: "It's the skinny budget. Bill English has just put New Zealand on a permanent diet."

At the Dominion Post, Vernon Small said the message of a "very bleak" Budget was: "No jam today ... and big cuts tomorrow."

Away from the mainstream media, Keith Ng on publicaddress.net said it was a simple Budget with one goal: "bringing down the debt track".

On thestandard.org.nz, "IrishBill" said the Budget was a flashback to the 1990s. "Today the National government met the current recession by cutting spending... What a farce."

Commenters on the Your Views pages on nzherald.co.nz were reasonably evenly split between those who felt the Budget was too harsh, not harsh enough and sensible in the circumstances.

"Why does National always mess up super schemes?" asked Steve Withers of Beach Haven.

But James M in Hataitai said: "I've never been much of a National supporter before, but considering the economic situation, this is not a bad budget at all."