National’s “Budget Rules” Announce Nothing, Promise LessThe Alliance Party says National’s Budget Responsibility Rules simply repackage fiscal targets the Government has already published. Budget 2026 forecasts an OBEGALx surplus in 2028/29 and core Crown spending falling to 30.3 percent of GDP by 2029/30. Net core Crown debt is forecast to decline to 44.4 percent of GDP in 2029/30. Mr Billot says pushing core Crown spending towards 30 percent of GDP, while the population ages and infrastructure costs mount, means cuts elsewhere, whatever language National uses. “We will not sign up to rules designed to make another round of cuts sound responsible.”