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The Beehive and Parliament - Source: ONE News
Finance Minister Bill English on Thursday delivered National's first Budget in 10 years. He outlined and average of $1.45 billion of new spending for each of the next four years, with the coming year's total spend at $1.71 billion, down from $1.75 billion originally allocated by the previous Labour government.
Here's a look at the main Budget 2009 spending commitments.
Health
- $3 billion over the next four years of which $750 million will be
spent this coming year.
- District Health Boards receive the majority of funding, with a
$2.1 billion boost for areas such as medicines subsidies,
redirecting some hospital services to primary care and improving
aged care facilities.
- The number of health professionals will also increase by 800 and
there will be more funds for training.
- Maternity services to receive $103.5 million.
Education
- $1.7 billion over the next four years to improve facilities and
lift educational achievement.
- The 21st century school programme will receive the largest capital spending for education New Zealand has seen, with $523.3 million to expand, build and modernise schools.
- $169 million for this coming year is being set aside to deliver pay rises to teachers.
Justice
- $950 million will be spent over four years across the
justice sector.
- There will be 600 more police on the streets by 2011, 246 more probation officers and 1,000 extra prison beds.
Infrastructure
- $7.5 billion over five years on capital
initiatives such as roads, rail, broadband and home insulation.
- Spending on New Zealand's state highway network will be
increased by $1 billion over the next three years, bringing the
annual amount spent on roads to $1 billion.
- $258 million on rail including a debt facility for Kiwirail, and
additional capital spending and operational support.
- $1.5 billion for ultra fast broadband
- $323 million to fit homes with insulation and clean heating. Around 180,000 homes will be eligible for grants of up to $1,800, and those with community services cards will be eligible for grants of up to $3,000.
Social Development
- National superannuation payments 'locked in' at 66% of average
wage.
- $81.6 million towards FreshStart initiatives for young
offenders.
Research and Development
- $114 million in new operating spending and $17 million
in capital for research, science and technology, including
increased funds for related grants.
Treaty of Waitangi
- $22.4 million for the Office of Treaty Settlements to help speed
up the Treaty settlement process.
Primary sector
- $190 million to establish a public-private fund, the Primary
Growth Partnership, to boost the sector's growth.
Others
- $50 million for new national cycleway network
- $40 million for affordable housing initiatives
