The Prime Minister's delay of two years to realise that Auckland transport is vital to New Zealand's economy has cost the country $2 billion, ACT Transport Spokesman MP Penny Webster said today.

"The Prime Minister and Ms Tizard have spent two years conducting talkfests with absolutely no results. In that time, Auckland's congestion has cost us $2 billion. To now declare that she is raising petrol tax nationwide just adds insult to injury.

"The money is in the consolidated fund already. Raising taxes hurts families suffering from the higher cost of living, and it batters the businesses that Ms Clark claims to want to help," Mrs Webster said.

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