11. PETER BROWN (Deputy Leader—NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister of Finance
Under what circumstances would the Government fully or partly renationalise the operation of the trains run by Toll Holdings?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister of Finance) Link to this
If the result of the continuing negotiations with Toll showed that this was the only satisfactory way to achieve a strong, efficient rail transport network.
Notwithstanding that Toll has won awards for innovation and efficiency, does the Minister recognise that if rail were publicly owned, it could open the door to all sorts of innovative practices that occur in railway services in some other countries?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
The Government’s aim is to have a strong, efficient rail transport network, and it needs certainty around the ongoing situation. We have never had a settled implementation of the National Rail Access Agreement. Within weeks, almost, of that being finalised, Toll was attempting to relitigate. Indeed, I think it is fair to say that the view around what Toll is worth is largely based on the extent to which it is assumed that the Government will actually implement the National Rail Access Agreement.
Does the Minister accept that with public ownership it would be possible to lease part of the rail services out, either in the long term or the short term; introduce rail freight grants as occurs elsewhere; and indeed allow bus or other operators to operate trains for a particular event—in short, is he aware that public ownership could really bring our rail services into the 21st century?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
As I said, the Government hopes to achieve a strong, efficient rail transport network, and, as I have confirmed, all options are on the table in order to achieve that.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I seek leave to table an article from the Dominion of 21 July 1993, where the National Party sold off New Zealand Rail to its mates without any—
Madam SPEAKER