For immediate release

Friday, 20 December 2002

Baldock urges Cullen to boost road spending

United Future MP, Larry Baldock, noting Finance Minister Michael Cullen's comments today confirming that Government revenue continues to strengthen, is reminding him that a great deal can be accomplished by a boost in infrastructure spending on roading in this country.

"Earlier in the year, when it seemed the Government was heading for a surplus, Dr Cullen fobbed me off when I sought greater roading funding by saying he'd like to ensure the surpluses were a continuing phenomenon.

"Now that it looks like a certainty that the Government will have a surplus, I urge Dr Cullen to reduce the Consolidated Fund's dependence on money raised from fuel excise tax and instead re-direct more of it to Transit's desperate need for the funding of capital projects to build better roading infrastructure in the country.

"This is not the same as social spending, which, although needed, cannot deliver economic returns anything like the improved efficiency of our road transport. With the opportunities being presented through the new Land Transport Management Bill, the additional boosting of funding to Transit could lead to major economic growth in the economy," said Mr Baldock.

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