INDEPENDENT NEWS

New Bill to repeal Regional Fuel Taxes

Published: Fri 31 Aug 2018 09:27 AM
Jami-Lee Ross - Transport
31 August 2018
A new Bill from National would relieve Aucklanders and New Zealanders facing higher fuel prices, National’s Transport spokesperson Jami-Lee Ross says.
“In Auckland, motorists are facing record high fuel prices with further increases just around the corner.
“A combination of the falling Kiwi dollar, international movements and an already soaring level of fuel taxes has meant many Aucklanders are seeing the highest fuel prices ever.
“Now is not the time to add new taxes like Transport Minister Phil Twyford is intent on doing – instead we need to be looking at minimising the impact fuel prices are having on the cost of living.
“That is why I have submitted a Bill to Parliament to repeal the regional fuel tax.
“This Bill would remove the Auckland regional fuel tax and remove the ability for the Government to roll such taxes out across New Zealand.
“The Auckland regional fuel tax is driving up the cost of living with the most vulnerable being shouldered with the heaviest share of the tax.
“The Auckland Council’s own Māori Statutory Board estimated low-income Aucklanders could end up paying over $400 per year in added fuel costs.
“Mayor Goff promised to find savings in the Auckland Council’s budget that would have more than covered the revenue of the regional fuel tax.
“The Government keeps loading on the costs to New Zealanders through a multi-billion tram set and funding it through fuel taxes while allowing regional fuel taxes to be rolled out across our regions.
“We need a Government who will help drive down the costs facing Kiwi families instead of looking to add even more taxes – that’s what this Bill seeks to do.”
ends

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