Herald poll: Budget is for NZ, not for 'us'

Fewer than one in five people surveyed think they will be better off as a result of the Labour-Alliance Government's first Budget.

But many more believe it will be good for the country.

Despite big boosts to non means-tested benefits such as health, education and student subsidies, only 19.7 per cent expect to be better off.

The Herald-DigiPoll survey of 753 people nationwide began on the evening of Budget day, last Thursday, and was completed on Monday.

It asked eligible voters whether they thought the Budget was good or bad for the country and whether it would leave them better or worse off personally.

Almost 35 per cent believed it would be good for the country, against 23.4 per cent who thought it would do harm and nearly 20 per cent who doubted that it would make a difference.

When it came to the personal question, however, those who counted themselves fortunate were far outnumbered by the 28.2 per cent who expected to be worse off and the 40 per cent for whom it would make no difference.

Nevertheless the response was markedly better than the reception for National's Budget last year, when just 8.2 per cent expected to be better off. Almost 40 per cent of that DigiPoll survey counted themselves worse off and 42.4 per cent were indifferent.

This time people on below-average incomes, between $19,000 and $28,000, were the most personally satisfied with the Budget. More than a quarter, 27.3 per cent, expected to be better off, although even in that group nearly 40 per cent did not expect to be affected either way.

In the lowest bracket, under $19,000 a year, only 23 per cent were satisfied. But that income band includes some people with substantial assets.

The poll found business opinion almost evenly divided on whether the Budget was good and bad for the country - 28.6 per cent thought it would be good, against 29.8 per cent who held the opposite view.

As for their personal well-being, only 14 per cent of business people (self-employed or in financial decision-making positions) expected to be better off.

The economy has become the nation's top concern again, nominated by 19.5 per cent, ahead of health services (13 per cent), education (12.2 per cent) and unemployment (10.6 per cent).

Budget 2000 feature

Minister's budget statement

Budget speech