The Proof Is In The Pudding, Labour

It is time Labour stopped waffling about its governing abilities and actually showed some leadership, by doing something that successive governments have failed to do for decades - build Transmission Gully, ACT New Zealand Wellington-based MP Heather Roy said today.

"Transmission Gully has been discussed as far back as the end of World War II when, according to local sources, the US volunteered to build it for us. We declined their offer - to our own detriment," Mrs Roy said.

"It was recently rammed home to us just how vulnerable we are. One weekend of wind and rain, and we were cut off from the rest of the country. This is completely unacceptable, but worse was still to come.

"Prime Minister Helen Clark dismissed calls to build Transmission Gully, saying such decisions would not be made on the back of one event. One is all it takes - experts predict a major earthquake will hit within the next 50 years, and Wellington must be prepared.

"Ms Clark's plan of waiting until after the event is extremely short-sighted. Transmission Gully must be part of an overall strategic plan to ensure that Wellington has a lifeline to outside aid should disaster strike.

"Labour constantly tells us what a competent government it is - Ms Clark is a `victim' of her `own success', and Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey has led a life of `blameless excellence'. We all know, however, that the proof is in the pudding.

"Wellington has needed Transmission Gully for almost 60 years. It is time for this Government, and self-proclaimed Transmission Gully champion United Future Leader Peter Dunne, to put its money where its mouth is.

"My own canvassing of Ohariu-Belmont residents has found that two-thirds would support the construction of Transmission Gully - even if it were a toll road. Add to this Labour's $5 billion surplus, and we have a government in a perfect position to build this highway. The time for talk is over, we need Transmission Gully now," Mrs Roy said.

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