5 August 2011

Shane Jones outlines Labour infrastructure policy at NZCF/ACENZ conference

A Labour government would move the infrastructure spotlight back onto coastal shipping and rail, opposition Transport Spokesperson Shane Jones told the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation/Association of Consulting Engineers NZ joint conference today.

Mr Jones told the conference in Rotorua that while Labour would maintain investment in roading it would also seek to reduce pressure on roads through increased investment in public and other transport modes.

“Going forward we cannot lose momentum on our infrastructure,” he said. “But it can no longer just be about roads of national significance. We want to see more on freight and coastal shipping and more on rail.”

Mr Jones said Labour would oppose any sale of state-owned assets and look at bonds and private investment, including Public Private Partnerships, to fund ongoing infrastructure development.

He also said that PPPs, when structured correctly, could provide investment opportunities for New Zealand people to participate in enabling economic growth and reaping the benefits themselves.

ENDS

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