Some good things, some important things.But if you are a business owner in Mid Canterbury, it is slim pickings as far as the Budget goes, says Ashburton mayor Neil Brown.
Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown. Photo: Supplied
The contents of Grant Robertson's budget, the first as a post-coalition government, continued to be absorbed in the regions yesterday, including the Ashburton district.
Businesses and middle-New Zealand have been observed as one of the biggest losers out of the latest fiscal plan unveiled on Thursday by the Finance Minister.
Brown agreed that there was not a lot to offer for the business community.
"Thinking about the Ashburton economy, there's probably not a lot in there for businesses," he said.
"We're (Ashburton district) more the opposite site of it, because we're reasonably successful here with business and they're thriving and feeding into the tax system for others to use it," he said.
"We need assistance on the other side, around employment and getting skilled people here."
Ashburton's Retail Advisory Group spokesman Bob McDonald said it was disheartening.
"After Covid and, for Ashburton in particular with the CBD development, it would've been nice to see something for businesses but there's nothing there," he said.
"There's no light at the end of the tunnel."
Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson said the budget was lopsided in favour of societal issues.
"It feels like the Government has taken an either/or approach," she said.
"In order to focus on some of the significant issues we face in New Zealand, such as around child poverty, affordable housing and of course climate change, we need to have a strong economy, which is underpinned by our business community.
"So it is disappointing that the role of businesses have been largely overlooked in this Budget."
Benefit rises, funding for Maori housing and an increases to Pharmac's budget were some of the key features of Robertson's spending plan.
Brown said a cash injection into the Green Investment Finance fund to support the uptake of low-carbon technologies could give greater clarity for the agricultural sector.
Although economic stimulus for business had been largely overlooked, Brown said addressing welfare issues such as child poverty was positive.
Labour Party's Rangitata MP Jo Luxton, in a Facebook post, said she was certain the increases to benefit amounts would make a difference.
" I know it firsthand also - having been a solo mum on a benefit having to rely on food parcels and stretching every dollar," she said.
"Both my Ashburton and Timaru offices regularly hear from local constituents whom are struggling on a benefit.
"Whom are trying their very hardest with the money they receive but still find themselves struggling with the basics."
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