Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced several measures in Budget 2023. Prescription medicine co-payments will be eliminated, providing free
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced several measures in Budget 2023. Prescription medicine co-payments will be eliminated, providing free access to most prescription medicines. Early childhood education will be expanded to include two-year-olds, and public transport fares will be free for children under 13 and half-price for people under 25. The budget also includes investments in an electric vehicle charging network, state highways, home insulation and heating retrofits, Chatham Islands’ renewable power system, and safe staffing in healthcare. The trustee tax rate will increase, while the minimum wage exemption for disabled individuals will be replaced with a wage supplement. The economic forecast shows inflation falling to the target range, no recession predicted for 2023, moderate economic growth, and a return to surplus in 2025-26.
