Media Statement For immediate release Thursday, 12 February, 2004

Baldock: UF will keep fighting for more for roading

United Future transport spokesman Larry Baldock has pledged that the party will continue to press the Government to divert even more of the fuel excise tax to roading than the three cents a litre it won for motorists last year.

"That was good, but we want better, and New Zealand road-users deserve better," Mr Baldock said in responding to Prime Minister Helen Clark's statement to the House.

He took up Miss Clark's reference to the $297 million in new funding that would be available for building new roads, with it s $162 million component for Auckland's Transport package.

"A large part of that funding for Auckland will be available because the Government agreed, after intensive United Future lobbying, to reduce, by what will equate to a about three cents a litre, the amount previously diverted from the fuel excise tax collected from motorists across this country," Mr Baldock said.

"We have pushed that cause from day one of the current Parliament and we will continue to push it to get a better deal for motorists throughout the country.

"It's unfair for motorists to be asked to contribute even more money to pay for something which they are paying almost double for already.

"And we will continue to press for an additional reduction in the diversion so that it at least matches what is being requested from the pockets of motorists next April when the Government increases the fuel excise by 5.6 cents," he said.

"Improving the country's road network will continue to be a United Future because it's good for the economy, for the environment, for public health and safety, and for families and communities," Mr Baldock said.

Ends.

© Scoop Media

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