tdgeek:

 

What its a "Welling Budget" ?  

 

What does it achieve? Most people are aware that NZ has a poor record with mental health, suicide, etc. And other sectors particularly our indigenous people. If a budget seeks to address and improve this, I have no issue. Its needed in our society, that's very clear.

Most people are aware? But are they? And is there an actual crisis as claimed by Jacinda, or is this another example of her Trumpisms - declare a fire, put the fire out, then claim credit?
Are there mental health issues in NZ, and do they need additional funding? Most likely.  But does it actually require a specialised budget? Without solid quantifiable evidence, it can't be justified.

tdgeek:

 

As to the title, its a wake up call, not line 20 on page 4 of a Government document. Mental health service parent the only needy demographic, there are others, so this budget, while there was much other non social discretionary spending, its good to have a theme, to show us all that its a big deal. Well it is to me.

Previous budgets have always clearly highlighted areas whether further spending is required, rather than burying them in a larger report. Generalised reports might, but this post is specifically about the budget.

tdgeek:

 

Happiness? Im not affected by wellbeing measures, so my happiness metric doesn't change. Although as I have a family member who will benefit, along with MANY others in NZ, I guess my happiness metric increases.

 

From my interpretation of the budget criteria, everyone is effected by wellbeing measures. The budget indicated mental health, child wellbeing, Support Maori and Pasifika aspiration , productivity, transforming the economy and investing in NZ as areas for wellbeing.

tdgeek: There isn't a need to continue it, its a boost. Hence it was named.

Grant Roberson's own speech noted "In this first Wellbeing Budget our priorities are tackling long-term challenges facing New Zealand. "
So it's likely we'll see further wellbeing budgets.

tdgeek:

 

If you need updates you can use GDP. Thats tells us the economy of our country. But it doesnt. Its a poor measure. So, no real need for an update, if we watch the news we will, over time, be aware of updates in the "well-being"sectors

 

There is a very necessary need for an update. If a budget is to be highly targeted at a group, then we need to be able to quantify the results. To that end Treasury has completed a framework (apparently based on an OECD one) that has created quantifiable variables. If we do not see any updates, then that work was wasted, and we cannot verify whether the government's expenditure was effective.

A Living Standards Framework (LSF) dashboard has appeared on the Treasury website, so perhaps this is the fabled updated mechanism? We'll have to wait and see.

tdgeek:

 

Still unsure the reason for your post

 

Inspired by the post above mine whose topic was the wellbeing budget.