Mixed bag a letdown

Families are grateful for small mercies but there were not enough, write Deborah Diaz and Paul Yandall.

Bob Channing did not find much for his family in the Budget. "Cutting the broadcasting fee is good, but the increase for car registration means you've got only an extra $60 - and that's spread over 52 weeks."

He and his wife, Robyn, live in Massey with their 12-year-old daughter, Courtney. Daughter Susan, aged 20, has left home.

Mr Channing's work as a store manager brings in the family's income of just over $30,000 a year, while Robyn Channing is a full-time volunteer in the local community house.

The couple gave the thumbs up to money for computers and maintenance in schools, but they would like to have seen more emphasis on the "three Rs" basic skills.

"That's the grounding which has to last them the whole of their lives. And even a kid who is really thick needs to have something to fall back on," said Mr Channing.

As a volunteer fire police officer, he was concerned that people would not be able to afford the $47 increase in vehicle registration so more dangerous cars would be on the roads.

Pauline and Mark Muller, of Manurewa, felt low-income families had been let down. "It wasn't all bad but it certainly wasn't the family-friendly Budget it was supposed to be," said Mrs Muller.

The couple had hoped to see some relief for themselves and their three young children, but were disappointed at what they saw as Government mean-spiritedness.

Mrs Muller said the new "baby bonus" scheme would give only working families tax relief and that her family would miss out on even that small help because they survived on a benefit and Mr Muller's part-time work.

The couple could not afford to run a car so would not be hit in the pocket by the higher registration fee.

The scrapping of the broadcast fee was welcomed and the only other highlight was the subsidy for children's glasses, as one of the Muller children would qualify.

Lisa Howard-Smith felt the Budget was a fizzer and the promised tax cuts nothing more than an election bribe.

"I'm surprised they even had the audacity to bring tax cuts up." The solo mother of 14-year-old Rhian thought life would continue unchanged in their Te Atatu household, though she welcomed any funding for schools that would mean they did not have to dip into operations budgets for capital works.

The baby-bonus was a start towards proper paid parental leave and the expansion of Family Start a good move - even if would only reach families with high needs.

"But it has not offered much for anybody except those in extreme situations and it would have been nice to see something for those who are constantly trying.

"The unfortunate message is that there is only Government assistance for those in dire situations, but if you don't create a fuss there is nothing."