Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

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

 

Stu Nash Off The Rails

STU NASH OFF THE RAILS

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out Napier MP Stuart Nash, following his lobbying of KiwiRail to reopen the ill-fated Napier-Gisborne rail line. Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, says:

"Wasting millions on a line that barely saw one, five-carriage train per day crawl along it would be a shameful waste of money. Hawke’s Bay has much higher infrastructure priorities than this.”

“This week saw Rio Tinto deploy its first 69 driverless trucks. For rail that means its days are numbered. To satisfy a vocal train enthusiast lobby, Mr Nash appears to want to subsidise Walkmans when it’s very clearly an iPod world."

Since Helen Clark's Government renationalised rail in 2008, the total cost of subsidies and write-downs of KiwiRail has totalled $12.8 billion.

"$12.8 billion is an average of $2,863 for every New Zealander trying to breathe life into loss-making lines up and down the country," says Mr Williams. "This is pork barrel politics at its worst."

“Mr Nash is one of the smarter members of the Labour Party’s caucus. What is it about rail that makes even sensible politicians go so silly, and want to waste taxpayers' money flogging a dead horse?"

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.