Hon Roger Sowry MP National Party Transport Spokesman

04 June 2003

Another promise broken over 'one-off' petrol tax

The Government's now racking up an impressive record of broken promises as yet another pledge to the public is discarded says National Party Transport spokesman Roger Sowry.

He's commenting on suggestions that a petrol tax to fund Auckland roading projects, which was due to expire on June 30, will remain in place indefinitely.

"If the tax is to stay on and we're all paying the price, then the Government needs to make sure the rest of the country gets the roading changes they need," Mr Sowry says.

"There are very few new projects throughout the rest of the country and we all know that Auckland's transport woes are no closer to being solved.

"The Minister promised us it would be an emergency tax with action in 16 months, but instead of new roads money has been syphoned off into other areas.

"He told us then that 'all New Zealanders would ultimately benefit', but so far all motorists are paying the price but almost no-one has benefitted at all!

Mr Sowry says electricity consumers should also take note.

"The way that the petrol tax is playing out should also serve as a sobering warning for householders paying the new electricity tax.

"We were told it would be put toward security of energy supply in New Zealand in a dry year.

"Then we learn state-owned energy company Meridian is investing in Australian wind farms.

"With that kind of track record, the motoring public need to be increasingly suspicious about any new roading initiatives announced by the Labour Government," Mr Sowry says

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