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There'll be no hand-outs in tomorrow's budget,
but Finance Minister Bill English says
it will provide reassurance and optimism.
There'll be housing and child poverty announcements,
but will it make a difference for low income Maori families?
Irena Smith looks at what we can expect.
Bill English has a smile on his face,
but we won't know why until tomorrow.
With many families hoping to buy homes,
the budget will hopefully help them fulfil this dream.
But it looks like the Government will have to wait
until the costs of the Christchurch rebuild come down.
This economist says he doesn't see how Maori,
especially low income and those in the regions
will gain much from the budget.
Employment is another big focus for the Government.
That's one way of easing the other pressures families are under.
He says it's the only serious long term fix and the Government agrees.
No doubt the Government
will want all its prospects to come to fruition.
If not, they will be left with bills that will stay with them
until the next election.
Irena Smith, Te Karere.