ACT unveils austerity budget as Greens decry it as elite welfare

On Sunday ACT disclosed a fiscal strategy that seeks to lower debt through spending cuts, a yearly three-month rise in the superannuation age, and a $653 million reduction in disability benefits. The proposal also includes abolishing certain demographic ministries, curbing foreign aid, and barring new migrants from claiming benefits for five years. Two elements remain vague: a $100 million annual program and a tax relief costing $264 million in its first year.

Greens labeled the plan "welfare for the wealthiest," Labour said it "punches down," and Opportunity’s Qiulae Wong questioned the feasibility of a $100 household carbon-tax rebate, leading ACT to say it would eliminate the carbon price floor. Meanwhile, the Greens announced a youth-jobs pilot, National pledged mandatory Year 11 completion, Labour detailed a revived school-lunch scheme, and NZ First proposed a new shortage-led skilled work visa.