Budget to be delivered on May 14

Budget 2020 to be delivered on May 14; Government's priorities to include just transition to low-emissions economy, future of work, Maori and Pacific, child wellbeing and physical and mental wellbeing

12th Feb 20, 10:23am by Jenée Tibshraeny

Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced Budget 2020 will be delivered on May 14.

Robertson's five budget priorities are:

· Just Transition – Supporting New Zealanders in the transition to a climate-resilient, sustainable, and low-emissions economy

· Future of Work – Enabling all New Zealanders to benefit from new technologies and lift productivity through innovation

· Māori and Pacific – Lifting Māori and Pacific incomes, skills, and opportunities

· Child Wellbeing – Reducing child poverty and improving child wellbeing

· Physical and Mental Wellbeing – Supporting improved health outcomes for all New Zealanders

“This year’s Budget will continue the Coalition Government’s focus on tackling the long-term challenges facing New Zealand while also preparing the economy for the future," Robertson said.

“Those challenges and opportunities cannot be resolved in one budget, so they continue to be the core of the priorities in the 2020 Wellbeing Budget.

“The Wellbeing Approach is again being used to formulate this year’s Budget with Ministers collectively responsible for delivering on these priorities. This process ensures our investments are getting to the people and sectors most in need."

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5 Comments

by Henry_Tull | 12th Feb 20, 1:01pm 1581465705

What's is "Just Transition".

Just Transition is a framework developed by the trade union movement[1] to encompass a range of social interventions needed to secure workers' rights and livelihoods when economies are shifting to sustainable production, primarily avoiding climate change and protecting biodiversity.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Transition

Just Transition addresses this concern by promoting sustainable actions that help workers. Uniting social and climate justice by means of a Just Transition means to comply with demands for fairness for coal workers in coal-dependent developing countries who lack employment opportunities beyond coal; fairness for workers in emerging economies that demand their share of the “industrialisation dividend”; fairness for those having to leave their homes as sea levels rise and engulf coastal regions and islands as a consequence of climate change; fairness for populations affected by the air pollution and broader environmental impacts of coal use etc. For example, the Green New Deal outlines goals to protect the climate, and a Just Transition framework outlines strategies to accomplish these goals while protecting workers.[2]

by Henry_Tull | 12th Feb 20, 1:51pm 1581468710

The just transition framework was not note in previous policies.

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/21/new-zealand-election-poli…

Nothing here about social interventions.

by J.C. | 12th Feb 20, 1:51pm 1581468700

Excuse my cynicism, but it seems that the "dirty work", like coal mining in Australia, is one of the opportunities for many working class people to rise above their station. Furthemore, if we move into a world where all our efforts promote biodiversity, who will do any kind of undesirable work? Immigrants? No disrespect, but I find Robertson's vision somewhat flakey and disingenuous.

by Henry_Tull | 12th Feb 20, 1:56pm 1581469002

Good point, but the text is saying developing countries, so not Australia.

Plus the pay and conditions of Australia coal industry are very very good. Interesting that's where labour roots are, esp here.

The migrations you suggest are the very people to be liberated/relieved of said horrible jobs (in home country).

by xingmowang | 12th Feb 20, 2:52pm 1581472377

The Labour led and NZ first directed government is dragging New Zealand to become a developing country.

If nothing fundamental or dramatic happens to New Zealand's political and economic structure, New Zealand is on the verge of become a developing country of the Five Eye countries in the next decade or two.