31 August 2001 Media Statement

Negotiations continue on Auckland rail deal

“Negotiations for the government to buy Tranz Rail's Auckland rail corridors and infrastructure assets are continuing,” Finance Minister Michael Cullen, Transport Minister Mark Gosche and Tranz Rail managing director Michael Beard announced today.

Good progress had been made but there were important issues still to be worked through by both parties. This meant the 31 August deadline contained in the Memorandum of Understanding between the government and Auckland would not be reached.

"It is more important to get the deal right than to make the deadline," they said.

“Although the timetable will run over, the government remains fully committed to ensuring that Auckland gets the rail corridors access it needs to create a rapid passenger transit system," the ministers said.

“We are also discussing with Tranz Rail arrangements to ensure train services will continue after the existing contract expires on 30 June, 2003. These discussions will continue."

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>