Grant Robertson has unveiled his first Budget as Finance Minister.
At a glance
- The cost of GP visits will drop by $20-$30 for Community Services Card holders
- A big boost in spending to help rebuild aging hospital and health infrastructure. DHBs will also have $100m to draw on if they need it
- The government is committing to build 1600 state houses a year - up from Labour's original promise of 1000
- About $450m will go towards new schools, and $370m will be used to hire another 1500 teachers by 2021
- Quick-build units housing 600 inmates will be built by the end of 2019 to help cope with the burgeoning prison population
- Police will receive more than $300m to recruit an extra 920 officers and 240 support staff
- The Department of Conservation will get more than $180m over the next four years
- Two child poverty expert units will be established
- A special insurance tribunal will resolve outstanding Earthquake Commission and insurance claims
- $15m has been allocated to Radio New Zealand and New Zealand On Air
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