Auckland still in the slow lane after more Labour taxes

National Party Leader Don Brash says the Government is condemning Auckland to the slow lane, despite today's transport package which imposes yet another tax on all motorists.

"The AA has said that this is an $8 to $10 billion problem, but it looks very much like this package will fall at least $3 billion short of delivering that kind of investment.

"The National Party is firmly opposed to the 5 cent petrol and road user tax increases, when a significant part of the money raised from the last 'temporary' tax increase was not spent on fixing our roads," says Dr Brash.

"In fact the Government is repeating history, already admitting that not all the extra revenue raised from the tax increases will be spent fixing roads.

"Some will be diverted into Green pet projects instead. "Motorists in our largest city have been deceived by promises of urgent action, given that the package doesn't kick in until April 2005.

"And the Government has glossed over concerns about the Resource Management Act, which in some cases means it takes longer to get consents for new roads than it takes to build them.

"National is convinced that the redrafting of the RMA is a critical first step, with enough funding already in hand to make a positive start to Auckland's roading programme.

"Unless we fix the RMA there will be no fast-track solution for Auckland," says Dr Brash.

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