New Zealand First Urges Urgent Investment In Infrastructure

New Zealand First has called for the Government to quit its ad hoc approach to transport policy-making and immediately implement New Zealand First’s infrastructural plan.

“Transit and Transfund should be structured on a commercial basis, as should the proposed rail track company. Both entities should be independently administered, receive any user charges, and be able to borrow against future income from the Superannuation fund and from ACC investments,” said new Zealand First deputy leader and transport spokesperson, Peter Brown.

“The 18.7c per litre excise tax which is currently siphoned off into the Consolidated Fund (and the bulk of the additional tax imposed in 2002) should be fully applied to the development of infrastructure and services.

“Rather than continue its ad hoc policy of patching up the odd road here, buying back an aeroplane there, or bidding up Tranz Rail shares the Government must settle on a comprehensive transport structure now.

“For real infrastructural development to take place in Auckland, and throughout the rest of New Zealand, we must have the ability to embark on major projects financed by both revenue and borrowing,” said Mr Brown.

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