Budget has some bright spots

Politics

Written by John McNeil Thursday, 28 May 2009 17:26

"There are a number of things to cheer about in this year's budget," said visionnetwork's National Director Glyn Carpenter.

"Faced with the need to deliver a tight budget for challenging times, the new government has still managed to provide some bright spots in an otherwise bleak landscape."

The deal struck with the Green Party for home insulation, for example, showed a willingness to work across ideological lines.

Mr Carpenter said those in cooler areas of the country particularly would welcome the insulation and clean-heating grants of up to $1800 for over 180,000 homes. Grants for up to $3000 for Community Service Cardholders, some other beneficiaries and those on low incomes who might otherwise have been unable to insulate their homes will benefit from this significant contribution to the cost.

Increased funding for school buildings, teacher salaries and special-needs education was also welcomed.

Mr Carpenter said the forecast that unemployment will reach as high as 8 per cent by the December quarter of 2010 is a cause for concern and a clear call to Christians to look carefully at the needs of their communities.

"This is not the time to pull up the drawbridges," he said, "but to make a special effort to get out beyond the four walls of the church and serve those who are hurting."