Govt responds to ‘squeezed middle’ critics with one-off $350 cost-of-living payments over winter for those not already getting winter energy payment and earning less than $70k/year
The $350 payment sounds pretty universal. The reporting focuses a lot on wage earners in the "squeezed middle", but I haven't seen anything that confirms/denies that this payment would also go to stay-at-home parents (whose partner for instance earns over $70k) and also to sole traders earning under $70k.
The Explanatory Note to the Taxation (Cost of Living Payments) Bill says that the $350 is based on $70K NET income, not gross income. Gross equivalent would be about $93k. If this is not an error, then what a sick joke to not pay beneficiaries 'because they don't need it' but give it people on up to $93k which is about 150% of the national median wage. Labour really is National lite.
The $350 payment sounds pretty universal. The reporting focuses a lot on wage earners in the "squeezed middle", but I haven't seen anything that confirms/denies that this payment would also go to stay-at-home parents (whose partner for instance earns over $70k) and also to sole traders earning under $70k.
The Explanatory Note to the Taxation (Cost of Living Payments) Bill says that the $350 is based on $70K NET income, not gross income. Gross equivalent would be about $93k. If this is not an error, then what a sick joke to not pay beneficiaries 'because they don't need it' but give it people on up to $93k which is about 150% of the national median wage. Labour really is National lite.
Bernard, did the Budget have any $ provision for repairs/support needed after extreme climate events, e.g. the Levin tornado today.