Media Release
01 April 2005

Road Funding System Needs Radical Change

New Zealand’s road funding system must undergo a radical change so that urgently needed roading projects can go ahead says New Zealand First transport spokesperson Peter Brown.

He told the Automobile Association’s annual conference today that the starting point for roading infrastructural development must be long-term designs rather than the current short-term stop-gap approach.

“The petrol motorist is now faced with $1.30 litre fuel costs as against the pre-Labour 1999 price of less than 80 cents a litre.

“Despite the massive hike in prices and tax, New Zealand’s roading infrastructure is a disaster, particularly in places like Auckland and Tauranga where projects are stalled through lack of funding.”

Mr Brown repeated his party’s promise to complete the task they started when New Zealand First was last in government and direct ALL of the taxes taken from the motorist to roading and transport development.

“While the Government maintains its debt repayment and high surplus Scrooge policies the economy is losing billions through clogged highways and inefficiencies.

“The advantages to our future growth and prosperity that comes from developing our transport infrastructure will make the increased expenditure worthwhile.

“New Zealand First will ensure that all petrol taxes go to roading, that all priority projects are funded, and will provide the appropriate level of investment to get the job done in timely fashion.”

Mr Brown also said that New Zealand First would direct the transport agencies to borrow from sources such as the New Zealand Superannuation Fund to help get the country on the real road to prosperity.

“It would be a real investment in the future for all New Zealanders,” concluded Mr Brown.

ENDS

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