Media Release
21 November 2012

Wellington Businesses Welcome Transmission Gully Milestone

The Wellington Employers' Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the government’s decision to allow a public private partnership to fund Transmission Gully.

“Today’s funding announcement gives more certainty to a roading project that the Wellington business community has been crying out for over many years,” said Chamber President Richard Stone.

“Transmission Gully is a strategically important route both nationally and regionally. As well as easing peak-hour congestion and saving time on the commute to Wellington, it will bring the region closer together and improve linkages between the Hutt and the coast.

“It is very pleasing to note that the government has confirmed that construction will begin 2014 and the road will be opened by 2020.

“This will be the New Zealand Transport Agency’s first roading PPP. Because of its size, Transmission Gully is an ideal project for such a funding mechanism. It will fee up funds for other infrastructure investment.

“We are also pleased that NZTA has been asked to investigate the merits of tolling the road. If New Zealand is to address its infrastructure deficit such funding mechanisms need to be pursued.

“The Chamber has been a major proponent of Transmission Gully right from the outset and this is another significant milestone in this long awaited development,” Mr Stone concluded.

ENDS

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Arguably Reassuring: Inspector-General Finds GCSB "Arguably" Legal

Of the 88 individuals:

• 15 cases involving 22 individuals did not have any information intercepted by GCSB.

• another four cases involving five individuals were the subjects of a New Zealand Security Intelligence Service warrant and the GCSB assisted in the execution of the warrants. The Inspector-General is of the view that there were arguably no breaches and the law is unclear.

• the Bureau only provided technical assistance which did not involve interception of communications, involving three of the individuals, so no breach occurred.

• the remaining cases involved the collection of metadata, and the Inspector-General formed the view that there had arguably been no breach, noting once again that the law is unclear.
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