Motorists hit hard
The old saying is ‘a week is a long time in politics’. That was so true last week.
By way of background the Labour led Government has been feeling a real voter backlash over rising fuel prices. Motorists have realised Auckland’s 11.5 cents a litre regional fuel tax that was passed into law earlier this year has helped to push up petrol prices right across the country.
What’s also hit motorists hard in the pocket is the increased Government excise tax (+3.5 cents per litre) that was rolled out in recent months.
Both of these increases have whacked up the cost of living on everyone — especially the poor because fuel prices impact everyone proportionally.
When Labour, NZ First and the Greens passed the regional fuel tax law they allowed it be to taken up by other regions — but not until 2021.
National heard that Wellington Council was in secret discussions with the Government about a regional fuel tax. As soon as this became public and confirmed by council officials the Prime Minister ruled out any further regional fuel taxes under her leadership — ever! This proves how sensitive the Government is about petrol prices overall. This backflip is welcome news for Ka¯ piti and Horowhenua motorists who would have been hit hard by this policy. National has been calling for the recent excise tax to be axed to help take some pressure off households — but this seems unlikely. The second big backflip announcement for the week was the new Horowhenua Expressway is going to be only a two-lane road — built sometime way into the future? This will be like a fire hose hooking up to a piddly garden hose. It’s such a short-sighted decision. Despite consulting on a new four lane expressway earlier this year — the Labour-led Government has now raided $5b from new roading projects for Auckland trams. Put simply the money has been allocated and will be spent elsewhere.
What disappoints me even more is the terrible ongoing delays that 400 affected Horowhenua residents are dealing with as the clock ticks down to Christmas. Homeowners want and deserve certainty.
On a more positive note — a huge congrats to the Horowhenua Ka¯ piti rugby team for winning the Lochore Cup. Our small union hasn’t won a national title for 25 years which is a long time between drinks. I take my hat off to coach Chris Wilton, captain Ryan Shelford, CE Corey Kennett and many more for their dedication and commitment.
It makes the 125 year anniversary of this rugby union very timely indeed. Well done Nua lads.