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"It's the responsible thing": Hipkins defends holding policy announcements until after the Budget

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 30 Apr 2026, 9:48am
Photo / Michael Craig
Photo / Michael Craig

"It's the responsible thing": Hipkins defends holding policy announcements until after the Budget

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 30 Apr 2026, 9:48am

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins is standing by the decision to wait until after the Budget to announce the party's election policies.  

The party has come under fire from the Coalition for its lack of policies so far.  

Labour's has revealed plans for a Capital Gains Tax, a Future Fund, and a plan to boost the video game sector rebate from 20% to 25%.  

It's promised three free doctors visits a year, a change to GP funding, as well as a Family Doctor Loan Scheme.  

Hipkins told Kerre Woodham he doesn't want to make promises that can't be kept, and waiting till the Government sets out the finances is the responsible thing to do. 

He’s also signalled he’s open to discussions around potentially means-testing Superannuation.  

The party is calling for the Super age to remain at 65, but at the same time, government briefings suggest keeping it the same would result in more spending.  

Hipkins told Woodham he doesn't back full means-testing, but there are questions about whether someone working full-time on a six-figure salary should get the pension. 

He says a conversation would have to be held in a constructive, bipartisan way. 

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