Luxon defends scrip subsidy repeal

Luxon defends scrip subsidy repeal
Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis defended National's stance on prescription subsidies. (Image: Dileepa Fonseka/BusinessDesk)
Dileepa Fonseka
At a post-budget speech, Christopher Luxon has defended a plan to reimpose $5 prescription co-payment fees, while promising homeowners his party's fiscal plans would bring lower interest rates.Luxon said he wanted to be “really clear” about what his criticisms of the co-payment were centred on, clarifying he believed people with supergold or community services cards should not have to pay a $5 prescription fee.“I don’t think it makes a lot of sense that someone like me gets the benefit of free prescriptions, I think...

More Economy

Westpac records soft December retail spending
Economy

Westpac records soft December retail spending

Despite a slight lift, Westpac data points to a soft end of year for household spending.Westpac’s retail tracker, released on Thursday, showed spending on Westpac-issued credit and debit cards was up 2% in December compared to last year.  Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod...

Price shakeup for cigarette brand
Retail

Price shakeup for cigarette brand

Cigarette prices typically go up each year. Not in this case.

Employment confidence ticks up in December quarter
Economy

Employment confidence ticks up in December quarter

A further indicator of some stabilisation in the labour market. 

Rebecca Howard 15 Jan 2025
Business confidence stutters into 2025
Economy

Business confidence stutters into 2025

Nothing to stop a 50 point interest rate cut next month, says NZIER.

Pattrick Smellie 14 Jan 2025