Leading up to the Budget announcement, Finance Minister Bill English and Prime Minister John Key did their best to talk it down, claiming on several instances there was "nothing interesting".
But yesterday's release revealed the Government would be offering an extra $25 a week for parents on the benefit, but they would also have greater job obligations.
Mr English told TV3's Paul Henry programme the package announcement shouldn’t come as surprise as it was announced by Mr Key on election night.
"I don't think it was anything new or unexpected really, the Prime Minister had signalled that on election night when the Government was re-elected," says Mr English.
"It was a pretty interesting package and I think it will be good for New Zealand. The $25 a week will alleviate some of the hardship in households and will be positive for low income families."
The package has been tentatively welcomed by child poverty advocates, with a Child Poverty Action Group spokesperson labelling the decision historic.
"We feel very heartened by the historic change in approach this Government has taken in this Budget," Prof Innes Asher says.
"For the first time we are seeing delivery of income to beneficiary family's which everyone has been resisting for the last 23, 24 years and it's been what child poverty groups have been advocating for 20 years."
Prof Asher says there are still some concerns and it is still not enough to fully help struggling families.
"Some parents can't find work or are unable to work for a range of reason and it’s important that we have an adequate safety net for all children in New Zealand. They've taken a first step in that direction, but more needs to be done."
The extra $25 per week doesn't come into effect until April next year and Prof Asher says that is concerning.
"For the child who is hungry and cold and sick today it's a long time to wait and I wonder why we have that discrepancy."
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei yesterday said the Government's announcement still wouldn't solve child poverty.
"Much of what National is giving to beneficiary families in one hand, will be taken away with the other.
"The increases to benefits that families are getting will be eroded in many cases by reductions in other payments."
3 News
source: newshub archive
