Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Culture Of Cavalier Governance Must End

“Finally revealed evidence that the Government forged ahead with plans for a multi-billion dollar light rail project in Auckland without even doing a cursory cost benefit analysis should be of huge concern to taxpayers,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“We have a huge deficit of infrastructure in this country, but the Government’s promised billions for projects must provide value for money.

“Only ACT has a plan to ensure all parts of the economy – central and local government and the private sector – are linked up to deliver that, in the form of Build Like the Boomers, ACT’s housing and infrastructure strategy.

“In the meantime, the sort of cavalier governance we’ve seen with light rail simply can’t continue. Not following proper processes can have a huge impact.

“One example is the three years of time and millions of dollars the Government has wasted making Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and Watercare investigate a wide range of impacts on their networks without having a business case to refer to.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“This distraction may have delayed other infrastructure projects while burning up scarce funds to chase a poorly thought through campaign promise.

“Given the debt position we face post-Covid-19 the Government must improve cost benefit analysis of all the investment options it is evaluating on taxpayers’ behalf.

“That’s the sort of care New Zealanders expect the Government to take spending the money they provide it by paying their taxes.

“New Zealand faces an infrastructure deficit after decades of neglect. We have traffic congestion, sewerage on beaches, and a dire shortage of homes.

“Both old political parties have entered an auction to spend the most taxpayer money on the problem, but no amount of spending will be effective without a rigorous process to ensure value for money.”

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.