12 December 2003
Media Release

Prime Minister Deals To ''P'' Issue In Auckland

''People'', ''Politics'', and ''Patch Protection'' have been addressed in the new funding and governance structures announced for Auckland Transport today.

After almost two years of local debate, central Government has stepped in and provided a platform of certainty for transport in Auckland.

“If there is one thing that Auckland should learn from this, is that this is what happens when Auckland cannot sort out its own affairs – and if we don’t make this work, Government will step in again”, warned Chamber Chief Executive Michael Barnett.

Nevertheless business has been calling for one stand-alone transport agency and has got it; we sought funding certainty and have been given it, and we asked for a shift to more innovative and user pay funding options and have got them.

This is good progress for Auckland but is not an end point – however it does provide a positive platform to progress.

ENDS

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