Today's protest: Where the truckies are going to be

04 Jul 2008 09:26p.m.

Alex wrote:

"I agree with Megan . In every message in here it seems the govt. of NZ has lost their plot and touch with reality . Nothing will come off the silly tax reductions or carrots being dangled by Michael Cullen. They have effectively brought this economy to point where if one wrong step is taken it could lead to down and out recession , debt traps , etc etc . Gloomy scenario compared to a year back . I am wondering why no one is questioning as to with fuel being such an essential commodity , who is behind the increases on a daily basis ? Its the goddamn speculators who are permitted by govt.'s to play around . There has been no drastic increase in demand or drastic reduction in supply !!! Makes one wonder what is the hidden agenda by the petroleum giants ."

You blame the Labour government for the economy, but at the same time accept speculation is to blame for high oil prices and apparently expect governments, who aren't Labour (presumably National), to somehow regulate speculators?

National is nowhere near as amazing or great as so many people seem to think. There are some outrageous expectation of National. Not just massive tax cuts but there even seems to be an idea that they'll increase spending. National wants to keep doctors here - the answer is to pay them more. Higher salaries in other countries attract them out of here. National cannot and will not spend more on health than Labour. The only way they could do it would be through privatisation where we'd take the American route with people unable to afford insurance and going without preventive care, without liver transplants - left to die. I doubt National would do that - instead they'll just run everything into the ground with chronic underfunding.

04 Jul 2008 12:12p.m.

dan wrote:

I agree with Megan . In every message in here it seems the govt. of NZ has lost their plot and touch with reality . Nothing will come off the silly tax reductions or carrots being dangled by Michael Cullen. They have effectively brought this economy to point where if one wrong step is taken it could lead to down and out recession , debt traps , etc etc . Gloomy scenario compared to a year back . I am wondering why no one is questioning as to with fuel being such an essential commodity , who is behind the increases on a daily basis ? Its the goddamn speculators who are permitted by govt.'s to play around . There has been no drastic increase in demand or drastic reduction in supply !!! Makes one wonder what is the hidden agenda by the petroleum giants .

04 Jul 2008 10:53a.m.

Len wrote:

Road user Charges are just the tip of the iceberg. We have been considering upgrading our car to a Diesel with economy of 4.7litres to 100kms instead of the present 9.7. Diesel also has the added benefit of being more environment friendly as well as much easier to use biofuels.
perhaps it is time that the Govt made Diesel the same as petrol incorporate all their fees and allow off road diesel and petrol users to claim back the road tax as I use to 30 years ago when I had a boat.
This Govt is totally out of touch of reality when it comes to people on low and fixed incomes. extra Charges like the RUC will add extra costs to already stretched budgets leading in many cases to more unemployment therefore more Dole and related handouts and then a need for more tax increases. A never ending cycle. Why cant Politicians see that they are stuffing the country?

03 Jul 2008 07:21p.m.

K wrote:

We have to travel on SH88 everyday and get to see, firsthand, the damage that constant heavy traffic causes eg. new sealant doesn't last long before chunks are ripped out by truck tires. Fair enough the trucks should have to pay their fair share for road repairs. I'm sure they'll pass the costs on anyway so what's their worry?

03 Jul 2008 07:06p.m.

TelGhoull, Dunedin wrote:

I own a small Diesel ute and I have to pay $300 a year on rego as it is and now that the Diesel is nearly $2 a litre they increase the road users charges!!! Go the Truckee's I hope yous don't mind my ute joining in. When will this greed stop???

03 Jul 2008 06:58p.m.

Jacquelyne wrote:

Hubbie reckons if just 300 trucks collectively parked up and locked up on spagetti junction after the main protest, walked to save diesel too,and went to pay their new road
user chargers; Annette actually might get how much her arrogance and indifference at their plight
may cost EVERYONE in the longterm.
Will be supporting truckers over this one! Was extremely disengenuous and shortsighted politicking! Nice one Annette Great timing!

03 Jul 2008 06:55p.m.

Mark, Balclutha wrote:

The govt has lost touch with the people of New Zealand just another way to get more money for coffers how much will go into the roads I wonder?Trucks do damage the roads yes but if they had put the money into the roads from petrol and diesel taxes they would have a great roading system that could stand up to trucks.Is this ruc price hike to fix the problems of the kiwi rail network?

03 Jul 2008 06:43p.m.

Meegan wrote:

Im 110% behind what the truckies are doing tomorrow! Alot of people are going to be agrevated getting to work etc, however what most people fail to accept is that WE NEED TRUCKS! Trucks deliver everything, from stock going to the works which then becomes meat, then in turn its trucked to the supermarkets etc. All groceries are delivered by trucks, everything from appilances, mail, freight, clothing you name it .... Trucks are how our nation ships everything around.
Im totally behind whats happening tomorrow morning. Go the Truckies!!!!