Auckland road tax shows National doesn’t get agriculture

Taxing rural communities more to pay for Auckland’s roads shows that National doesn’t understand the importance of agriculture for New Zealand’s economy, Opposition agriculture spokesperson Jim Anderton says.

“The whole country can benefit from roads that boost Auckland’s economy; But Auckland can benefit from the economic activity of the rest of the country too. How many farms are in Queen Street? When rural communities have to pay for roads they don’t use, it is a drag on them.

“The decision to make farmers pay more for Auckland roads is a decision by Auckland money market dealers who don’t understand our primary industry.

“It’s fairer to pay for extra projects locally, because local communities can best decide their top priorities and also decide whether the extra cost is worth it.

“The National Government has no new ideas so it’s going back to its old form in government – asking farmers and rural communities to pay more and more, while providing less and less services.”

ENDS

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