Good news for pregnant, dead farmers - shame about the rest

"It was in many respects a very good Budget with one proviso - as long as you were a pregnant, dead farmer."

That was Labour finance spokesman Michael Cullen's verdict on the combination of paid parental leave and the abolition of stamp duty and death duties.

Other parties, while welcoming individual measures, criticised the Government for failing to confront fundamental issues such as unemployment, hospital waiting lists, student debt, welfare and crime.

Dr Cullen said the Budget showed no sense of strategic direction - "no integration of policies in training, infrastructure, science and technology and export support, no drive towards an export-led economy, no excitement.

"As for tax cuts ... they are clearly in any realistic sense off the agenda for the foreseeable future. The forecast Budget surpluses are not large enough to encompass any significant tax cuts in the next three years."

Labour leader Helen Clark said the Budget showed National was devoid of ideas. "After all these years of failure, of cutbacks in health and family services, in education and superannuation, in essential services, the National Party wants people to believe they care."

She disputed National's claim of it being a family-friendly Budget, saying the tax credits for new parents would be offset by higher motor vehicle registration fees.

Jim Anderton, Alliance:

"This is a lightweight Budget that does not address key issues like jobs, overseas debt or tertiary fees. Funding for hospital waiting list funds gets cut.

"We need paid parental leave, not a shoddy baby bribe. Working people, superannuitants and beneficiaries need a cash boost. They got virtually nothing."

Winston Peters, New Zealand First:

"This Budget was Bill Birch's swansong, Jenny Shipley's lament and National's requiem - an irrelevant Budget that showed just how much National is out of touch with the economic concerns of real New Zealanders. Family Plus will be very difficult to qualify for."

Rodney Hide, Act:

"The Act-inspired abolition of stamp duty and the broadcasting fee was good news. The bad news was that National missed the opportunity to have an immediate cut in income tax.

"The Budget failed to offer a vision for New Zealanders and to confront the problems in welfare, crime and the need to set a definite date by which all treaty claims must be settled fairly and finally."

Peter Dunne, United:

"We are encouraged that at least three of United New Zealand's policy initiatives have been adopted with the increase in early childhood education spending, the abolition of stamp duty and the establishment of the Business Migrant Liaison unit.

"This budget is worth a B+ for recognising the necessary objectives but only a C+ for planning how to achieve them."

Tau Henare, Mauri Pacific:

"Maori are huge winners in Budget 99. Maori initiatives gained over $30 million extra. The Budget for Maori affairs has increased to $55 million. In comparison, Winston (Peters) slashed Maori affairs to $43 million as Treasurer.

"This positive gain is a hand up for Maori and it is now up to Maori to develop this putea [fund]."

Jeanette Fitzsimons, Greens:

"The Budget fails to address the deep structural flaws in the New Zealand economy. There is no understanding of, or commitment to, creating a secure, sustainable future for our children. It is a classic election-year Budget appealing to our greed instead of our common sense."
- STAFF REPORTER, NZPA