CPI figures show need to invest in alternatives to oil

Dr. Russel Norman, Green Party Co-Leader and Economics Spokesperson

17th July 2006

The release of figures today showing an annual 4% rise in the Consumers Price Index to the end of June 2006 shows once again that the Government needs to invest in alternatives to oil to futureproof the New Zealand economy, say the Greens.

“Over a quarter of the rise in CPI was due to rising petrol prices, showing just how vulnerable the economy is to petrol imports,” says Green Co-Leader Russel Norman.

“There was a 32% rise in petrol prices over the year to June and all indicators suggest that this is just the beginning. We should heed the warning signs and use this as an opportunity to take steps now to reduce the economy’s oil dependence,” says Dr. Norman, the Greens’ Economics Spokesperson.

“The Government needs to do more to invest in public transport infrastructure to move passenger transport out of cars and onto buses, trains and ferries. And we need to make it easier to ride a bike to work or to walk to school. “We need to give people genuine choices other than taking the car to work in the morning.

“And we need to move freight transport off roads and onto trains and ships.

“Reducing our dependence on oil will take pressure off the CPI and hence interest rates, it will take pressure off the trade deficit, it will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and it will give people on lower incomes better opportunities to move around our cities and towns.

“The survey data released by the Greens yesterday shows that people are crying out for more public transport but all we’re getting from the Government is road building bonanza.”

ENDS

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