7. Hon MARK GOSCHE (Labour—Maungakiekie) Link to this
to the Minister of Transport
How will the recently introduced Land Transport Management Amendment Bill be of benefit to recreational boaties?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Transport) Link to this
The bill allows the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Finance to allocate fuel excise revenue received from pleasure boat users to activities such as maritime search and rescue, boating safety education, and maritime safety services. For too long, organisations like the Royal New Zealand Coastguard Federation have had to rely heavily on donations to do their work. This move is good news for recreational boaties and the organisations that provide a safety service to them.
Pleasure boat users have not received a refund on excise duty since the days of Sir Robert Muldoon, when he discontinued it in the 1970s. Now a source of funding is available specifically to meet the cost of well-founded boating safety measures. The recreational boating community will see a benefit from the excise duty it pays, and I think this addresses what has been an inequitable situation.
Peter BrownDoes the Minister accept that her answer has a familiar ring about it, and will she therefore confirm that what is being proposed in the Land Transport Management Amendment Bill is, in fact, New Zealand First policy?