Good intentions will need to match results

This first National Budget was always going to be a difficult one because people have been doing it tough for an extended period.

The Budget’s intention to help "everyday people" is commendable and tax relief with the family boost childcare subsidy, coupled with the increase to working for families, will certainly offer "some" assistance to "some" families.

At Presbyterian Support Otago we have seen working families increasingly reaching out as they experience food and financial insecurity, and I truly hope this small tax relief increase will have an impact for those on low to median incomes.

It is, however, unlikely to offer relief for our most vulnerable.

Though the health system has been given a boost of $8.15 billion over four years, it is unclear how much, if any, of this funding will go towards the care for our most vulnerable older people. Our aged care system is in crisis and projected to worsen, and with no identification of funding from this Budget, this will continue to be of immense concern.

To hear the intention to support providers of social housing across New Zealand with $140million in funding is great. The costs associated with what has been achieved to date by government in this area has been too high.

Using non-government organisations to achieve more in the community housing environment is a positive move.

Overall, I agree that this is a fiscally responsible Budget in its reduction of government spending; no-one will benefit from government borrowing over 43% of GDP.

However, if the government’s statement of the intention to "look after New Zealanders along the way" is to be achieved, they will need to match good intentions with results for all, including the disenfranchised and the elderly.

Accountability and results will be key.

• Jo O’Neill is chief executive of Presbyterian Support Otago.