Increased Petrol Taxes Should Fund Public Transport - Greens

Green Party Transport Spokesperson Sue Kedgley will today move that the extra $25,000,000 in GST, which the Government has collected from rising petrol prices, be allocated to public transport.

Since January this year petrol has increased in price by nearly 30 per cent. This has boosted the amount the Government collects from the 12.5 per cent GST on petrol by $25,000,000.

"Right now we are beginning to see the effects of the world's dependence on non-renewable energy sources which are fast running out," said Ms Kedgley, "and the situation is only going to get worse.

"The Government has taken an extra $25,000,000 from increased petrol prices and the logical place to spend this is on public transport - especially in areas which have little or no public transport infrastructure."

Ms Kedgley said as fossil fuels dwindled and prices correspondingly soared the Government should be pre-empting the inevitable future fuel crises by investing in affordable and efficient public transport.

"The money that has unexpectedly come to the Government from these rising fuel costs should be spent on preparing New Zealand for a future that is not dependent on fossil fuels," said Ms Kedgley.

"I challenge the Government to support this amendment because it is common sense. We simply must start investing seriously in public transport now."

Sue Kedgley will move the Green Party's amendment in the budget estimates debate in parliament this afternoon.

Sue Kedgley MP: 04 470 6728, 025 270 9088 Jonathan Hill (press secretary): 04 470 6719, 021 440 090

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