Paul Goldsmith - Transport

17 May 2019

Revelations that Treasury advised against the Government committing to the Let’s Get Wellington Moving package because it relied on ‘several assumptions’ that had ‘not been thoroughly tested’ shows that Phil Twyford has learnt nothing from his many ministerial disasters, National’s Transport spokesperson Paul Goldsmith says.

“Mr Twyford is world class at the big announcements, but his delivery has been weak.

The failures to meet Kiwibuild targets, then his abandonment of those targets are well known.

“He stood with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and announced big plans for Light Rail in Auckland. Eighteen months in, we still have no sign of a business plan – primarily because the project doesn’t make sense. He boldly talked about Light Rail from Auckland CBD to the airport. Then it wasn’t the airport, it was Mangere. Now it’s ‘urban regeneration’ along Dominion road. Big talk; no follow through.

“Has he learnt nothing from the massive blow outs in the City Rail Loop, about the necessity of having his transport agencies absolutely focused on delivery?

“Treasury’s comments on the timing of the Wellington package are devastating: ‘Making an announcement at this stage carries significant risks, as it will raise public expectations of future investment before the costs and benefits of the package are fully understood’.

“Wellingtonians should be wary of Mr Twyford making announcements. His philosophy is ‘Ready, Fire, Aim’, safe in the knowledge that someone else will have to sort out the details in a decade’s time.”

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