Phil
GOFF
Labour Leader
Darien
FENTON
Transport Safety Spokesperson

13 October 2011 MEDIA STATEMENT
Government cost-cutting contributes to Rena disaster

The National Government has frozen funding for shipping safety watchdog Maritime New Zealand, says Labour Leader Phil Goff and Labour’s Transport Safety spokesperson Darien Fenton.

“It has been revealed that Maritime New Zealand, the body with statutory responsibility over shipping safety and the environmental protection of our seas, has had its funding frozen since Labour left office,” Phil Goff said.

“It has also been forced into a number of value-for-money reviews aimed at cost-cutting and rapid restructuring.

“While Labour doubled Maritime New Zealand’s budget for policy advice on safety regulation from $2.8m in 2000, to $5.7m in 2008, National froze the Vote Transport maritime appropriation at $5.7m and projected it to stay put until 2013/2014.

“This five-year freeze has starved the organisation of the funding it needs to operate effectively,” Phil Goff said.

“Maritime NZ has repeatedly warned that current funding levels are unsustainable and is having an adverse impact on its ability to monitor shipping safety and protect the environment,” Darien Fenton said.

“An indication of the disillusion within the organisation is revealed by the departure of two key staff members and National Response Team leaders, the MPRS Group Manager and the Principal Environmental Advisor to the New Zealand National Response Team who left to take up positions in Australia in 2010.

“The National Government has been more intent on cost-cutting than ensuring there is an appropriate level of service response, particularly in emergencies.

“John Key needs to assure New Zealanders that cost cutting at Maritime New Zealand by his government has not contributed to the Rena disaster, Darien Fenton said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media