Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 


Petrol price fuels industry debate at MTA Conference

Wednesday, 16 November 2011, 5:19 pm
Press Release: Motor Trade Association

16 November 2011

Petrol price fuels industry debate at MTA Conference

At its annual conference in Rotorua on Friday 11 November, Motor Trade Association (MTA) held a forum to debate a critical issue for the future of New Zealand transport – should the price of fuel be increased to preserve the precious commodity for the future.

This debate originated in response to earlier suggestions that the price of petrol was too cheap and increasing the price would force New Zealanders to treat it carefully and preserve it for the future.

On the panel was Green Party MP – Gareth Hughes and NZ Bus and Coach, Chief Executive – Raewyn Bleakley, Road Transport Forum (RTF) Chief Executive, Ken Shirley and former Wellington mayoral candidate and creator of Autocade – Jack Yan.

Green Party MP, Gareth Hughes said “The Green Party doesn’t support raising petrol prices but we want to raise some questions around global declining fuel stocks and volatility of price markets, but also the need for a balanced transport budget and investing across all the modes, road safety, right through to public transport. We also support investigating an oil reduction strategy to lessen our dependence on imported fossil fuels.”

“Oil prices going forward are going to be a critical issue and it would be responsible to take a balanced view to transport funding and to develop alternatives to petrol.”

RTF Chief Executive, Ken Shirley said “There’s no justification for abandoning basic market principles of supply and demand, setting price, responding to innovation technology. What we’ve seen is the market responding very rapidly in a global sense with smaller, more fuel efficient cars. That trend is going to continue and there’s no place for Government to intervene because when they do, they only mess it up.”

Former Wellington mayoral candidate, Jack Yan said “Innovation is the life force of our economy and cannot be threatened by high fuel prices. Past behaviour proves, that increasing fuel prices won’t mean that it will go toward a tax take to fund innovation or public transport. The majority of it will go towards lining the pockets of multinational fuel companies.”

NZ Bus and Coach, Chief Executive, Raewyn Bleakley said “We see public transport playing a vital component in the future of New Zealand’s transport environment. In the future public transport will be critical in delivering environmental and economic benefits for New Zealand and will also help deal with critical issues such as congestion, productivity and health risks.”

Although no agreement was reached, there was some support from MTA members for several ideas discussed.

ENDS

 
 
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

NEW ZEALAND POLITICS > >


 

Labour refers Liu case to Auditor-General

Labour Leader David Shearer has sent a letter to the Auditor-General asking her to investigate the decision-making process around the case involving Chinese businessman Bill Liu. More>>

Also:


Waikato-Tainui Celebrates End of Lock-Out

Tom Roa, Chair of Te Arataura, Waikato Tainui’s executive has welcomed news that the ten week lock-out of Horotiu workers is drawing to a dramatic close.
“We are all extremely pleased to see this day finally arrive,” said Tom Roa. More>>

Also:

Meridian dumps West Coast hydro plan

(Image: blog.greens.org.nz by Q)

May 22 (BusinessDesk) - Opposition to Meridian Energy's plans for a 100 Megawatt hydro-electric scheme on the undammed Mokihinui River on the South Island's West Coast has forced its abandonment, the state-owned power company has announced. More >>

Fisheries: Slave Labour And Foreign Vessels
The Government has announced it is to require reflagging of foreign-owned fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters to address labour, safety and fisheries practice concerns. More >>

Also


Budget 2012: Crime And Punishment
Budget 2012 will contribute to a 25 per cent reduction in reoffending by 2017, and 18,500 fewer victims of crime every year from 2017, Corrections Minister Anne Tolley and Associate Corrections Minister Dr Pita Sharples say. More >>

Also:


Elections: Time Running Out to Take Part in Electoral Commission’s MMP Review

Time is running out to have your say on improvements you’d like to see made to our MMP voting system. With only two weeks to go until the first consultation period of the MMP Review closes, the Electoral Commission has received more than 3700 submissions ... More >>


Christchurch: More Green Zoning And More Red Zoning

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced the final decision in almost 11 months of flat land residential zoning in Canterbury…

“It brings the number of residential properties zoned red because they are unsuitable for residential occupation to 7256.” More >>

Gerry Brownlee also announced the green zoning of 421 residential properties in the Port Hills, leaving 1679 houses still under review. More>>

ALSO:


Budget 2012: Squeezing Every Drop Out Of A Zero Budget
The Government is trying to squeeze every drop of publicity out of its ``Zero Budget’’ ahead of its delivery next Thursday.More >>

Gordon Campbell On the Politics of Austerity: Later this month, New Zealand will be subjected to its second austerity Budget in a row. Zero budgeting is being presented as the only path of virtue. This is despite the fact that - elsewhere in the real world - it has been a very bad week indeed for the politics of austerity.More >>
Also

  • Business.Desk - Smokes, booze and property tax breaks prime targets for Budget
  • Labour - User Pays Plan Confirms Failure
  • Labour - Cuts to classes result of government failure
  • ACT - Performance Based Pay for Teachers Long Overdue

  • Budget 2012: Recovery of Canterbury on Track
  • Budget 2012 - Prescription Charges Help Fund Health
  • Budget 2012: Education – Larger Classes For More Money
  • Budget 2012: $144m more for disability support

    • Housing: Social Housing Money Handed Out
    People in need will get the most benefit from Government funding for new housing projects, to be developed by non-government providers. Housing Minister Phil Heatley has announced the successful applicants to the $25.3 million Social Housing Unit ... More >>

    ALSO:

    Iti Jailed In Operation 8 Case
    October 15th Solidarity Group on Sentencing -The sentences of 2.5 years for Taame Iti and Rangi Kemara are manifestly unjust. This is an outrage. The sentences of Urs Signer and Emily Bailey are equally absurd. The judge sought to retry the entire case at sentencing today and himself decided their fate. It is an outrage.More>>

    Also:

    Earlier Trial Coverage:


    Parliament Today: Urgency Follows Budget
    The House moved into Urgency this afternoon after leaders gave their speeches in reply to the Budget Speech.More...

    Also:


    Budget 2012: Prescription Charges Help Fund Health
    Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the Government will increase the $3 prescription charge to $5 per item up to a maximum of 20 items from 1 January 2013. The savings will be reinvested in the health sector. More >>
    Also:

    Court of Appeal: Govt Should Pay Family Caregivers
    The victory in the Court of Appeal for families caring for disabled family members should be taken notice of by the Government says Green MP Catherine DelahuntyMore >>

    ALSO:

    LATEST HEADLINES

    More RSS  RSS
     
    More RSS  RSS News AlertsNews Alerts
     
     
     
    Politics
    Search Scoop  
     
     
    powered by newsagent
    NZ independent news