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Government accused of abandoning Auckland

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Tue, 14 Feb 2012 5:32a.m.

Auckland City Council is suggesting an increase in GST, higher petrol prices and road tolls (Reuters)

Auckland City Council is suggesting an increase in GST, higher petrol prices and road tolls (Reuters)

The Government is being accused of breaking a promise by leaving Aucklanders to find ways to pay for the city's public transport projects.

Labour's transport spokesman, Phil Twyford, says there's a leadership vacuum and ministers have to step up.

Auckland City Council is suggesting an increase in GST, higher petrol prices and road tolls as ways to raise $2.4 billion for an inner city rail loop and other projects.

Prime Minister John Key on Monday signalled the Government wouldn't allow GST to be increased, saying taxes sucked money out of the economy and it was up to the council to figure out how to pay for the rail link.

"The Government is already investing huge amounts in Auckland's infrastructure," he said.

Mr Twyford says the Government plans to spend $1.3 billion on the Puhoi-Wellsford "holiday highway" which could fund half the rail loop.

"National came into Government with 11 key commitments and the second on the list included increased investment in public transport," he said.

"This can't be another broken promise and another missed opportunity."

NZN

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Comments

14 Feb 2012 04:52p.m.

Cathy wrote:

'Chargone'. I find it interesting you try to compare the minimal spending on infrastructure for Auckland over many years of neglect, to the need to rebuild infrastructure in Christchurch. Work in both cities is needed now and urgently. Apart from the National Government contributing Billions of nation wide tax paid dollars more towards Christchurch, Aucklanders have also individually and unselfishly contributed many millions of additional dollars from personal tax paid income to help Christchurch. Apart from the 'Winging and Whining' and 'Woe is me' blogs from some Cantabs, I have never seen one word from these people to thank Auckland in particular for their contributions that exceed all the other NZ contributions combined. The only thing I concede is that Auckland does not need Len Brown's Train set, but does need road upgrades for the massive increase in roading need for a part of the country that has around a third of the population with less than a quarter of the tax take spent there.

14 Feb 2012 01:55p.m.

Chargone wrote:

i don't see why it can't be, Mr Twyford... i mean, it IS national. that said, i fail to see how a GST increase could be justified for this. GST is already a dubious tax to start with, being regressive in nature, and has already been raised recently. Auckland's infrastructure issues aren't exactly a bigger deal than Christchurch's earthquake recovery, after all, and so far as i am aware (i could be wrong, mind) That didn't result in a nation wide tax increase. (and Christchurch is also being told it has to find it's own money for a chunk of that, as well.)

14 Feb 2012 12:48p.m.

Sam wrote:

Raise nationwide tax to pay for Auckland's nonsensical rail loop? Ridiculous. Stop wining to the government, and pay for it from within the city.

14 Feb 2012 12:44p.m.

cherie wrote:

@Madness No I think the govt are actualy sticking by NZ's in that they have said no to raising taxs for Aucklands use. They have the bigger pop up there so put tolls in to pay for it. Living in Ch Ch we dont need to fund their stuff.

14 Feb 2012 11:58a.m.

Paora wrote:

The nick name heard around of late 'Willy Wonker Brown' seems more appropriate than ever. Lennies Train Set is an extravagance that cannot and should not get the go ahead. The present inner city bus service does the same thing without costing one extra cent, so there is no rational reason to waste money duplicating an existing service. I feel Lennie only wants to leave his mark but fortunately, the next election isn't that far off.

14 Feb 2012 11:48a.m.

Steve wrote:

If this had been done back in the days of Sir Dove Myer-Robinsonas he proposed, things would have been better now.

14 Feb 2012 11:47a.m.

Brad wrote:

Watcher, applying your logic regarding GST, I gather then that you will be fully supportive of using all the GST, income tax and car registration money generated by Aucklander's to fund the infrastructure requirements? Problem solved for Aucklanders with that approach!

14 Feb 2012 11:40a.m.

madness wrote:

Our govt is abandoning all of us, they were before they were re elected, just everyone still had or have their blinders on!!
Shame alot of eyes are wide open now when it is too late and we have another 2 1/2 years of this rubbish

14 Feb 2012 11:38a.m.

madness wrote:

If they all use their intelligence they should know the only fair choice fo raising this money is put tolls on them. The new joining of the motorways at Manuaku should have had tolls on it from the day it was opened. If the tolls had been left on the harbour bridge we would have had a big amount of money witting there for the future, but they took them away and now we don't.
Only the road users should pay for the roads. The pensioners with no licence or ability to drive shouldn't have to be caught up in the funding of the roads. If rates, GST etc get raised, alot of businesses and people will move elswhere because it is too dear living in Auckland now. Get up and smell the coffee council and govt, Ausy has bridges everywhere you have to pay to cross and it's just part of everyday life over there.If you dont like paying the toll take the long way it is that simple, why do you guys make it so hard!!

14 Feb 2012 09:31a.m.

Watcher wrote:

GST is nationwide and should not be used to fund Auckland's rail loop. Auckland Council should be realistic and stick with the bus loop.