Wednesday, 22 March 2006

Copeland highlights Greens' negative influence

United Future's transport spokesman Gordon Copeland today highlighted the continuing negative influence of the Green Party on New Zealand's efforts to improve its transport infrastructure.

"The voters of Auckland and Wellington should know that, while they are trapped in endless traffic jams and pay unnecessarily high prices for transporting goods, it's because that's how the Greens want it," he said.

Mr Copeland's remarks follow Question Time in Parliament today where he quizzed Transport Minister Pete Hodgson about Labour's lack of support for public-private partnerships to hasten the construction of urgently-needed roading projects in New Zealand.

Mr Copeland is promoting a Member's Bill that would make such PPP's easier to arrange, but Labour won't support the Bill because it claims it still has to honour a deal it made with the Green Party in the Parliament before last, opposing the use of private enterprise in building the nation's roads.

"So here we have a Government that claims it is honour-bound to support the Greens' Luddite views on roading, but is perfectly prepared to shaft the boaties of Whangamata who have meticulously followed the letter of the law in getting approval for their marina proposal," said Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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