The Treasury is getting into the swing of austerity measures as Finance Minister Bill English prepares to release his Budget 2012 tomorrow.
For the first time in at least the past 45 years, the Otago Daily Times will not receive the Budget documents in a security-protected courier package from the Treasury, saving the Government about $500.
Instead, the newspaper will receive its documents by email from the Treasury as soon as Mr English begins reading his speech in Parliament at 2pm.
But the money saved from printing and courier costs has been put to good use with the launch of a smartphone and tablet app for the Budget.
The new app was funded through reduced printing costs.
It was developed in less than four weeks by Wellington company PaperKite.
"This is an example of a government agency resetting its priorities to keep up with changing public demand," Mr English said.
"We will be updating and rolling out the Budget app each year, and looking to use it for other related government information as the Government moves increasingly online."
The app can be downloaded free from Apple and Android app stores from late this afternoon. It will go live at 2pm tomorrow and allow users to read the Budget speech and key Budget documents, watch video coverage and read ministers' statements.
