2. CHARLES CHAUVEL (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Finance
What reports has he received on the Government’s plan to revitalise New Zealand’s rail system?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister of Finance) Link to this
Today, 15 years after New Zealand’s rail system was sold off, it is back in the hands of New Zealanders. The rail assets of Toll NZ have been transferred to the Government, and will be managed by a transition board headed by a former Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Jim Bolger. The organisation is now called KiwiRail.
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
At a time of rising concern over climate change and the huge increases in the price of petrol, it is clear that rail has a big role to play in the future of our transport system. The fuel efficiency of diesel-powered trains is four times better than that of road transport used to carry the same load; electric trains, when they can be used for freight, are 10 times more fuel efficient. With the price of oil passing US$140 a barrel recently, I think all members of the House know that it is time that something must be done to make the transport system more efficient—particularly, more environmentally efficient.
What reports has the Minister received on opposition to Government ownership of New Zealand’s rail system?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I have seen reports that suggest that the Government purchase of the rail track was a bad idea; then, later, that it was always “a pretty sound idea”; that Government ownership of the rail network is “a dumb idea”; that rail is not at all superior to bus transport; that the Government should not be buying the rail network; and that any future Government should wait 3 years before selling it off. All of that collection of confusing reports comes from Mr John Key, who must have thought he was being push-polled at the time he was being asked those questions.