Time for some Post budget soundings and some of them deserve awards all on their own:  

First, Treasury, dear Treasury, our very own invisible hand: Three cheers to the Herald for digging out the Treasury report which said smoking saves the Government money   ‘because smokers die earlier and pay more in tobacco tax than their health problems cost’. It went on to say that ‘smokers’ shorter life expectancies reduced the need for superannuation and aged care….’ What a caring bunch.

In other post budget reactions, the Government’s collateral damage to intermediate teachers and their pupils was up for attack on Radio New Zealand’s Nine to Noon show,  where commonsense from principals collided with the Government ideology. Ditto in the Herald where Mt Roskill Intermediate’s Michael O’Reilly had this to say:

“I find it ironic that they’re spending so much money on research and development yet it’s those technology classes (the subject of cuts) that really ignite children’s love of and passion for tinkering and learning…which is what New Zealand was built on, that number 8 wire”. 

But the Government does have its supporters – sort of:

“Finally a Government that has the courage to take on the paperboys. For too long this powerful group has held sway over the country. A lot of people are going to sleep easy knowing the paperboys are going down” wrote Viv Curtis of Pakuranga in a letter to the Editor.

We won’t mention the other unkind letter which referred to John Key and Bill English having five course luncheons with business chums while preaching austerity. Come on, put things in perspective. There might have been five courses but they were small portions…