Arrogant Government Lets Kiwis Eat Cake

Wednesday 22 Oct 2003 Deborah Coddington Press Releases -- Transport

The second reading of the Land Transport Management Bill in Parliament yesterday typifies Labour's arrogant attitude towards the democratic process, ACT New Zealand Transport Spokesman Deborah Coddington said today.

"Despite submitters appearing before us at Select Committee begging the Government to drastically change this Bill to solve New Zealand's transport problems, this flawed legislation, which will not add one kilometre of motorway to New Zealand's infrastructure, will pass through the House with support from the Greens and United Future.

"The Greens wrote the Bill in the first place, so their support is not surprising. The Bill's anti-car, anti-freedom of choice, and anti-business bias reflects that party's policies.

"It's disappointing that United Future are supporting this appalling legislation. It considers it a victory that they got one clause in the Bill that will allow a toll road in Tauranga. That's parish pump politics and nothing to be proud of - they're supporting a Bill that will do zilch to lift New Zealand back into the top half of the OECD.

"Labour have bought support from these two parties. It will now suck more money out of motorists to pump into railways, coastal shipping, cycle paths and walkways.

"Associate Transport Minister Judith Tizard said in September 2002 that Auckland's eastern highway should not be completed 'just so all the people in Howick can have an extra half-hour in bed'.

"This is the same Ms Tizard who told motorists to 'buy another car' if their vehicle fails the emissions test. She also told homeowners to 'sell up and move' if they couldn't afford to pay their rates.

"And continuing this vein of breathtaking arrogance, Education Minister Trevor Mallard tells parents to 'have more babies' if they want to save their schools from closure.

"This heartless Government is totally out of touch.

"I will be introducing a Private Members Bill, the Auckland Transport Empowering Bill, which would provide a quick fix to the crisis felt daily by commuters sick of duck-shoving by politicians and bureaucrats. If my Bill gets drawn, I will challenge the Government to support a way through the mess that is Auckland transport," Miss Coddington said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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