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The Abbott government's first budget will tighten the belts of most Australians, with tax hikes, tighter welfare rules, new GP fees, and cuts to health and education spending announced. Audio

The first budget from Tony Abbott's Government has lived up to the hype with tax hikes, welfare cuts, and slashed spending on healthcare and education. Audio

The head of Quitline is praising tobacco tax hikes and smoke-free environments for major cuts in Maori high school student smoking rates; A block of land on the Kapiti Coast has been bought by a local… Audio

The head of Quitline is praising tobacco tax hikes and smoke-free environments for major cuts in Maori high school student smoking rates; A block of land on the Kapiti Coast has been bought by a local… Audio

Maori Affairs minister pays respects to inspiring leader, TPP talks fail to reach agreement, Government defends extending tax exemption for foreign oil rigs, Russia considers amnesty for Greenpeace… Audio

1. MAGGIE BARRY to the Minister of Finance: What impact have the Government's across the board tax cuts, and other tax changes in 2010, had on income tax paid by higher and lower income households?
2. Rt…

The Finance Minister of the Cook Islands defends proposed tax changes, including increase in VAT. Audio

The Hollande government bucks EU trends choosing tax hikes for France rather than state spending cuts while in the Italian peninsula they say the butler did it - the Pope's former man-servant goes on… Audio

Whangarei's departing police chief is being criticised by his own union for airing what it calls dirty laundry in public. The Public Service Association blames Government cuts and poor planning for… Audio

President Obama has been laying out some of his tax policy ahead of November's presidential election. In his White House address, Mr Obama argued tax cuts for higher earners, put in place by his… Audio

The Green Party says new figures show the Government's tax cuts have increased borrowing by 2 billion dollars. Audio

Turangi car crash, HIV positive primary school student, Avondale fruit fly, Monday-ising public holidays, Greece politics, tax cuts, internet acccess for schools. Audio

Australia's government has delivered its promised surplus budget, thanks largely to cuts in spending on defence and foreign aid and abandoning planned tax cuts. Audio

The Australian Government has scrapped billions of dollars worth of company tax cuts, and instead re-directed the money to welfare payments as it reaches for a budget surplus. Audio

The Green Party is accusing the Prime Minister, John Key, of using figures selectively in the debate over the cost of the 2010 tax cuts. Audio

1. TODD McCLAY to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he received on the Government’s financial position?
2. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that “if you…

Government has no plan, only cuts - PSA; Labour unconvinced of state sector shake up; Georgia and India targeted by bomb attacks; Jerusalem blames Iran for bomb blasts; raids trial to hear from… Audio

There's been a turnaround in the numbers joining Kiwisaver after months of declines in the wake of cuts to tax incentives in the May Budget. Audio

A report by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development has found that among developed countries, New Zealand experienced one of the fastest increases in the gap between rich and poor… Audio

A "supercommittee" in the US has failed to reach a deal on how to rein in the country's runaway deficit, done in by political feuding over tax hikes and cuts to social spending. Audio

Questions to Ministers 1. Hon PHIL GOFF to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that "I think we all have to accept that there is a degree of inequality in New Zealand"; if so, has he… Audio

The Australian prime minister, Julia Gillard, has taken the sting out of a new carbon tax, with 19 billion dollars in tax cuts and extra benefits for low and middle income households. Audio

The Government's deficit for the year looks closer to being 16 billion dollars rather than 17 but the Finance Minister says spending cuts will continue. Audio

Questions to Ministers 1. RAHUI KATENE to the Associate Minister of Health: When was the Core Clinical Committee established in Kawerau and how are iwi involved in the membership and functions of… Audio

Questions to Ministers 1. Hon PHIL GOFF to the Prime Minister: In stating that "this Government introduced a balanced package of tax cuts" was he saying that his tax changes and the tax system are… Audio

The National Party faces a hard sell on Kiwisaver at the November election, where it will campaign to reduce the government's 20-dollar-a-week tax credit. Audio

The Finance Minister Bill English says he believes New Zealanders will accept the argument that cuts have to be made to Kiwisaver, in order to improve the wider economy. National will campaign on… Audio

The Prime Minister has announced next week's budget will include cuts to the one thousand and forty dollar Kiwisaver tax credit. But John Key has told a business lunch in Wellington the… Audio

Violent storm cuts power to more than 10,000 people. Many in Taupo still without power. Weather set to ease today: Metservice. Senior hospital doctors seek multi million dollar pay rise. Deferment of… Audio

The Prime Minister has signalled an election year austerity budget in May because of the Canterbury earthquakes. John Key says the Government needs to cut spending because of quake-related costs and a… Audio