Labour Contempt For New Zealanders

Wednesday 15 Oct 2003 Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases -- Other

ACT New Zealand Northland-based MP Dr Muriel Newman today accused the Labour Government of committing an affront to the democratic process, by rejecting out-of-hand her petition to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee.

"This petition carries 4,060 signatures, and highlights the dangerous and unacceptable situation of the Northern Motorway, which stops slap bang in the middle of an Orewa paddock," Dr Newman said.

"The petition calls on the Government to treat the completion of the Northern Motorway, from Orewa to Puhoe, as an urgent priority.

"This motorway is a vital part of New Zealand's highway infrastructure, and its completion has been held up for years by the RMA. Now that all consents are finally through, it is imperative that the priority rating of this project be investigated and lifted.

"Yet Government members - supported by the Greens and United Future - have considered this petition as worth no more than a cursory form letter. Treating petitioners with such blatant disdain is completely unacceptable.

"Labour's view that the completion of the ALPURT 2 is unimportant shows how little understanding it has of the importance of a quality roading infrastructure in lifting New Zealand's economic growth potential. Their attitude is an affront to the democratic process," Dr Newman said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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