2 September 2015 MEDIA STATEMENT

Report highlights National’s poor funding decisions

The Government’s poor coordination between its transport strategy and the needs of the regions has been highlighted in a new report by Local Government New Zealand, Labour’s Transport spokesperson Phil Twyford says.

“Local Government was forced to write its Mobilising the Regions report because the Government continues to make funding decisions which negatively impact regional New Zealand.

“A classic example of this is National driving KiwiRail into the ground.

“Good transport networks are vital to regional economic development but the National Government looks the other way while regional air services are cut, local roads fall into disrepair due to lack of funding and the Treasury pushes for the closure of KiwiRail.

“New Zealand needs an integrated approach to building a more efficient and sustainable transport system for freight and people.

“Local Government’s findings are a helpful contribution to that debate,” Phil Twyford says.

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