9 August 1999

MINISTER'S ARROGANCE NO REASON TO DELAY TRANSMISSION GULLY

The short-sighted and arrogant statements of Transport Minister Maurice Williamson will come back to haunt him says United New Zealand leader and Ohariu-Belmont MP Peter Dunne.

The 'Do It Now' petition was launched at Mana Esplanade on Saturday by Mr Dunne and regional United New Zealand candidates. Within just a few hours the petition gathered over 1000 signatures despite a wet, cold day. Since Saturday a raft of businesses and individuals have offered to take on board blank petition forms.

"His statement that a petition will not influence any decision to build Transmission Gully show a total lack of understanding of the very real concerns of Wellington people.

"It ill behoves a Minister of the Crown to dismiss the petition just a couple of days after its launch.

"Sadly it highlights how out of touch with public opinion this Auckland based Minister is. I would have thought he may have taken a more considered approach. His response is an affront to the people of the Wellington region who are demonstrating in overwhelming numbers their support for this issue," says Mr Dunne.

He says the petition was launched because it had become obvious that Mr Williamson and Transfund do not consider ongoing congestion and carnage on this stretch of New Zealand's main highway as important enough to be addressed.

"Not only is the Minister ignoring his responsibility to ensure safe, efficient roads but he is undermining and belittling the voice of the Wellington people, many of whom use this road regularly and are well aware of the need for Transmission Gully.

"In light of his statements I challenge his fellow National Party candidates from the Wellington region to state their position on this important issue. If they are committed to the Wellington region they will disown his comments and support the 'Do it Now' petition," says Mr Dunne.

Petition forms are available for signing at United New Zealand electorate offices in Johnsonville and Lower Hutt and the party's parliamentary office as well as businesses and shops throughout the region.
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MEDIA STATEMENT
HON PETER DUNNE, MP
LEADER UNITED NEW ZEALAND
Parliament Buildings, Wellington 1.
e-mail: peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz. Internet Address: http://www.united.org.nz

New Zealand's Liberal Party

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