7. DARREN HUGHES (Labour—Otaki) Link to this
to the Minister of Transport
What are the key features of the 2007-08 National Land Transport Programme announced last evening?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Transport) Link to this
The National Land Transport Programme allocates a record $2.4 billion across 12 activity classes. This is a record level of expenditure. A key feature of the programme is that it clearly demonstrates this Government’s commitment to transport infrastructure. We are investing over 145 percent more in transport than a National Government did in 1998-99. Furthermore, in the coming year the Government expects to invest over $500 million in public transport. There is also increased funding for walking and cycling, road safety, and much more.
Has the Minister received any comments about this large increase in funding for the National Land Transport Programme?
Yes, I have. I have seen many comments praising the Government for its commitment to New Zealand’s infrastructure. However, I am rather bemused by the comments from Maurice Williamson. He admitted that there has been underspending for decades, that there was a huge amount of catch-up to do, but he dismissed the increases in funding as something that just goes up every year, anyway. Well, let us see whether it does. This graph, which my colleague is holding up, shows the level of under-investment by a National Government in the 1990s. It shows, in fact, that this present Government is serious about addressing under-investment. Have a look at the figures for National, then at the figures for Labour, and then look at the predicted increase. What a lousy increase we had under a National Government. The other thing is, poor old Mr Williamson said he had difficulty getting money out of the then Minister of Finance. Well, that was his Minister of Finance, and I know that our Minister of Finance understands the need to invest into New Zealand.