Joseph Mooney MP – Op-Ed – What’s in store for us in Budget 2022?

On Budget Day, 19 May, we’ll hear what Labour plans to do with around $6 billion a year in new operating spending, plus a few billion more in capital.
This is when we will hear how the Government plans to use our hard-earned taxes to ensure our country gets back to prosperity.

Inflation is the highest in 30 years, and we are facing the worst cost of living crisis in a generation.
This Labour Government’s economic approach has been for increased government spending instead of pursuing a robust economic agenda that will lift wages, grow jobs, and create choices for families to prosper.
If we are to see any improvement in people’s lives, the Government must restore fiscal discipline in the upcoming Budget.

We cannot go on spending as if there is no tomorrow. The Government will need to reign in their spending and refocus its use of taxpayer monies on outcomes for Kiwis.
We have seen example after example of wasteful spending with a lack of delivery any a little focus on results.

Billions are allocated to mental health, but with few outcomes for specialist services. $800,000 was spent on job expos that only 126 people attended. Billions on Kiwibuild that has only seen 1300 homes built. Immigration New Zealand has employed 500 more staff and the department’s expenditure has gone up 50% since 2017. Yet, they are processing two-thirds less visa applications, and taking much longer to do it. The wasteful spending list goes on and on.

National will be assessing the upcoming Budget according to whether it can achieve three key priorities. Will it deliver meaningful relief for middle-income earners who don’t receive government benefits? Will it be value of money, and will it meet the tests of accountability and delivery?

While Kiwis are counting every dollar, we should be expecting the Government to do the same.
To get ahead, we need to relentlessly target our spending on the significant drivers of our economic engine – education and skills, infrastructure, technology, the business environment, and our connections with the world, all while protecting our environment.

We need a Budget that will encourage innovation and entrepreneurship so that the world wants to invest in our country and buy our products.
On 19 May, Kiwis don’t have to hear more excuses about the Government needing more time, that the cost of living crisis is COVID’s fault. What you want to know, what I want to know, is what is the Government going to do to fix it.

I am hosting Post Budget updates in Queenstown on 23 May, and in Gore on 24 May. It will be an opportunity to unpack the Government’s Budget announcements and see what’s in it for you, your family, your business and your employees.
Anyone interested in attending can register to participate at josephmooney.national.org.nz/events