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Source: Reuters -
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For the first time in a decade, the Budget is giving something back to childless couples who pay maximum tax rates but never qualify for assistance.
On Thursday, for the very first time, Auckland salesman Terry Riding had a reason to watch the budget.
He and wife Robyn are DINKS, which means they have a double income and no children and so do not usually get any budget benefits.
But the couple say they still pay an enormous amount of tax for zero return.
So when Finance Minister Michael Cullen delivered his election year budget, it finally delivered them some relief.
According to the new budget, the Ridings will take home an extra $45 a week in October, which will rise to $90 in three years.
But the Ridings say it does not go far enough, and Robyn believes no one is even going to notice the reduction.
"It's just going to be lost with the inflation that's going on," she says.
Terry agrees, saying if the cash was in one lump sum now, it would make a difference.
And the Ridings say it will take more than tax cuts to win their support in the election.
"It's only just one factor, you've got to look at the other points of view as well," says Terry.
Robyn says she does not think the tax cuts are going make her vote Labour.
Cullen delivered a three-year programme of tax cuts which will cost $10.6 billion over four years starting from October 1.
