Shades of boldness for this year's Budget

By KEVIN TAYLOR

The Budget delivering a "social dividend" for low- to middle-income families sits tantalisingly close on a bench at a Petone printing plant.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen is acting up for the cameras with the small pile of books. He contorts himself for photographers. Television cameras turn to get a shot.

Welcome to the annual signing of the Budget documents by the Finance Minister. It's a ritual Dr Cullen's office has considered canning in the past, but it persists.

He plays down the Budget, saying it will follow "very much" on previous ones. The major difference is the large package affecting low- to middle-income families.

Dr Cullen has previously called the package the largest set of changes to the benefit and family assistance system since Ruth Richardson's 1991 "Mother of all Budgets".

But he's avoided giving his Budget a name as such labels can become "albatrosses around your neck as much as anything".

Asked about the colour of the Budget documents he says it's a prudent and cautious shade of red that's "not too in your face".

Dr Cullen has bought two new ties and shirts for Budget day. He has yet to decide which to wear, but one combination is bolder.

"I think you'll end up with the bolder option."