Ratepayer bailout a bit on the nose

A $100 million ratepayer bailout of NZTA raises serious questions about the Government’s budget and planning abilities, Labour’s Transport spokesperson Phil Twyford says.

It was revealed this morning that Auckland Council is advancing the New Zealand Transport Agency $100 million to prevent city transport projects grinding to a halt.

“Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee needs to explain why Auckland ratepayers are being asked to fork out money for work that should have been properly costed and funded.

“I will be asking for correspondence between the Minister and transport officials on the timing of projects and the impact on the Transport Agency’s budget,” Phil Twyford said.

“The Government pushed through major motorway projects with what can only be described as obscene haste to have them completed before the election. Now Auckland Council is being asked to plug a massive funding gap.

“The Council’s willingness to help the Government out contrasts with the Government’s grudging and hostile attitude to Auckland’s plans for investment in public transport.

“National has been nickel and diming the Auckland ratepayer over transport since day one - forcing them to pay for half the new electric trains out of rates, and cutting back on central government support for public transport infrastructure.

“Let’s hope Auckland’s generous gesture is the start of a new era of cooperation between Auckland and the National Government.

“We can no longer afford to be obsessed with roads in the way that National has been. Labour’s transport policy recognises that,” Phil Twyford said.