Chester Borrows (National, Whanganui MP)
1. The National Government's good economic management means we have projected annual growth of 2.8 per cent for the next four years, which should drive the average wage up by $7600 by 2018. ACC levies on cars will drop annual car registration from $330 to $200, which is a big cost on older folk and the lower paid, meaning more money in the pockets of people in Whanganui.
2. $858 million over four years of new education funding means more money into Whanganui schools, including an extra $85.3 million increase in school operational grants; $2.5 million for Computers in Homes and $4.7 million for additional teacher aide support.
3. Tertiary education gets an extra $20 million this year and next year for an extra 6000 trade apprentices, taking the total in the programme to 20,000. That means more opportunities for young people in Whanganui.
4. Welfare support receives an extra $100 million, including 8000 more employment and work-readiness places for those at risk of being benefit-dependant long term.
5. Vote Health receives $1.8 billion over four years for services, including home-based services, elective surgery, elderly care, cancer treatment and rheumatic fever prevention.
Hamish McDouall (Labour Party candidate for Whanganui)
1. Free GP visits for under-13s is great. It's a really good start in rectifying a lack of attention to children and families.
2. There's nothing in the Budget for Wanganui. The housing issue has not really been grasped in any way. National are concentrating on interest rates and trying to tinker with KiwiSaver - it's tinkering rather than big, bold steps.
3. It disturbs me to hear Government talk of tax breaks. They're not going to go to Wanganui people - how many families in Wanganui earn more than $40,000?
4. Parental leave is fine, but you want an extension to 26 weeks, which is what Australia has. None of that's going to lift 200,000 people out of poverty.
5. As far as early childhood education is concerned, they're going backwards. The people who have their kids in kindy will have to pay more - it beggars belief.
Chris McKenzie (Maori Party candidate for Te Tai Hauauru)
1. Every child in Wanganui will have access to the doctors and prescriptions free-of-charge.
2. Wanganui mums and babies will have more time to bond as there will be an increase in paid parental leave to give babies a good start in life.
3. The health package is targeting cancer, rheumatic fever, and will reduce the impact of obesity for more of our citizens.
4. $10 billion towards education means more affordable fees at early childhood centres like Smart Start in Wanganui and Te Hunga Kawitiwiti Kohanga Reo.
5. $100 million invested into helping beneficiaries transition into the workforce.
Jack McDonald (Green Party candidate for Te Tai Hauauru)
1. There's been an 11.1 per cent cut in health spending in real terms (inflation-adjusted), and a 5.5 per cent cut in education spending in real terms. National is paying for their surplus from cuts to our health and education services.
2. There's a 37.9 per cent decrease in the Callaghan Innovation budget for business research and development. Access to research and development grants is crucial to boost regional economic development.
3. A Green budget would include our progressive ownership scheme, a rent-to-buy initiative that uses the Government's low cost of capital to create a pathway for home ownership for young families who have been increasingly locked out of the property market.
4. National's Budget has $40 million in new funding for irrigation projects, which will lead to a further decrease in water quality. Greens would ensure every awa is safe enough to swim in.
5. The Maori Party's Budget achievements have been underwhelming. It's positive to see increased funding for iwi radio, but whanau ora is still significantly underfunded and Maori will be worse off.