No More Buy Elections
John Boscawen MP
ACT New Zealand

Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 5 2009

ACT New Zealand Mt Albert Candidate John Boscawen today urged National to complete the South-Western motorway and ensure that the proposed Waterview connection is built above ground - rather than as a tunnel that the nation cannot afford in the current economic climate.

"New Zealand is currently in the grip of a recession and cannot afford to spend more than $3 billion on a tunnel in Mt Albert when the surface route alternative is estimated to be $2 billion cheaper," Mr Boscawen said.

"The interest alone on borrowing a further $2 billion would be more then enough to double the number of cataract, hip replacement and coronary bypass operations performed each year.

"The Mt Albert contest is a by-election, not a BUY-election - any Party advocating the proposed Waterview tunnel is simply trying to buy votes without a thought for fiscal responsibility.

"ACT is the only Party willing to tell it like it is: no matter who is elected, the Waterview motorway will be above ground. The costings show that there is simply no other way.

"New Zealand's current troubles stem from both Labour and National Governments overspending - rising from around $12,000 per person to $18,800 in real terms in just 13 years. We are the third most indebted country in the world and this problem will not be solved by spending even more on a tunnel when there are cheaper alternatives.

"That's why I'm calling on National's Melissa Lee to front up and be honest with Mt Albert residents about National's intentions.

"The by-election gives the voters of Mt Albert a chance to send a message to Wellington that they have had enough of the high spenders.

"It's time for the Government to bring spending under control and help ACT ensure that our future generations are not burdened by the millstone of ever-increasing and insurmountable debt," Mr Boscawen said.

ENDS

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