A Great Question!

Phil Heatley, National's Housing spokesman asked one of the best Supplementary questions today that I've heard for a while - here 'tis:

"Phil Heatley: Why, under Labour, is someone considered to be a high-income earner by the Inland Revenue Department when he or she is on $60,000, but a low-income earner by Housing New Zealand Corporation when that person is on $70,000 and wants to buy one of its houses?"

There was much mirth and merriment before Housing Minister Maryan Street answered, prompting this exchange:

Hon MARYAN STREET: The member refers to the household income, which is the standard level for accessing a Welcome Home Loan. That is two people earning $35,000 each. They are not high-paid workers. Their household income is the threshold at which a Welcome Home Loan kicks in.
Phil Heatley: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Minister started that answer by saying: “The member refers to …”, then told us what I referred to. I referred to the fact that the Inland Revenue Department considers someone to be on a high income when that person is on $60,000, yet Housing New Zealand Corporation considers someone to be on a low income when that person is on $70,000. She did not answer the question, and she misinterpreted me. Could she please answer the question.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen: The situation is absolutely clear. What Housing New Zealand Corporation refers to and what the member is referring to is a household income of $70,000. What the member is referring to with the Inland Revenue Department is individual income of $60,000. Indeed, the National Party cannot have it both ways. It cannot argue one day that $60,000 is indeed a very low income and $70,000 is actually terribly, terribly high.
Phil Heatley: I seek leave to table a document that shows that $68,000 is the average household income according to Statistics New Zealand.
Madam SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Yes, there is objection.
Phil Heatley: I seek leave to table the statement of the chair of Housing New Zealand Corporation that one will need a household income of $70,000 to buy one of these—
Leave granted.
Phil Heatley: I seek leave to table “Affordable housing too dear for most”.
Madam SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Yes, there is.
Phil Heatley: I seek leave to table “Affordable homes still too expensive”, from the New Zealand Herald.
Madam SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Yes, there is.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen: Does the Minister consider it contributes to affordable housing if people buy an expensive and very good house next door in order to knock it down to build a tennis court; if not, will she be inviting Mr Heatley to take it up with Mr Key and advise him to start walking the walk, not just talking the talk?

Cullen's contribution qualified for the Low Blow of the day - he's obviously still in full "envy" mode after last year's "rich prick" jibe - so much for Helen's "unrelenting positivity" eh!! But well done to Phil Heatley for exposing the government's confusion over who is rich and who is poor! That man deserves a DB!