Primary Sector Equal Priority in Transport Funding

"United Future MP, Larry Baldock must be congratulated for his statement that fuel excise taxes should not be siphoned off into the consolidated fund, says Charlie Pedersen, Federated Farmer's National Vice-President.

Federated Farmers has long campaigned for road users to pay for road use and that road user charges should not be used to fund non-roading projects.

Mr Pedersen said "Three simple steps need to be taken. One, stop using council rates to pay for roads, two, stop siphoning fuel taxes into consolidated revenue and three, direct all fuel taxes and road user charges into funding roads. This will deliver an additional $300 million to pay for road improvement."

"It is time for the Government to take these steps if it is at all serious about allowing the productive sector to deliver long-term growth in the New Zealand economy.

"This Government appears to be more concerned about congestion in Auckland than ensuring the productive sector of New Zealand has an efficient land transport system.

"A serious threat is facing rural New Zealand now. District Councils cannot adequately fund the roading infrastructure of the hinterland. It is time for central government to release the funds its siphoned off and invest them back into the productive sectors."

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