PM denies fuel tax policy was improvised
WELLINGTON: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she did not decide to ban future regional fuel taxes on the fly and Government ministers — including Phil Twyford and Shane Jones — should have already known about it.
Her comments follow Transport Minister Phil Twyford suggesting to RNZ yesterday morning that he only found out about the ban on Wednesday, just hours before Ms Ardern publicly ruled out any more regional fuel taxes while she is PM.
Ms Ardern also suggested Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones, who only found out about the pledge on Wednesday after it was announced, should have known about it earlier.
Mr Twyford sought to clarify yesterday afternoon by saying he has known Mr Ardern’s position since the beginning of the year — yet did not pass that information on to several local authorities that have expressed an interest in a regional fuel tax.
‘‘I’ve been fully aware of the Prime Minister’s views on this issue going back to the begin ning of this year,’’ Mr Twyford said.
Despite that, he did not inform any of the 14 councils that have expressed an interest in having a regional fuel tax. In June, the Government passed a law to enable Auckland to implement a regional fuel tax and allow other councils to follow suit from 2021.
But during a fiery question time on Wednesday, Ms Ardern pledged there would be no more regional fuel taxes as long as she is Prime Minister.
National accused Ms Ardern of making up policy on the spot, but Ms Ardern said yesterday she had previously made her intention clear in Cabinet committee.
‘‘That’s been discussed before. We’ve had that conversation in Cabinet committee,’’ Ms Ardern said.
‘‘At that point I made very clear it was my intention that we would have no other form of regional fuel tax [besides Auckland].’’
She said Mr Twyford had been part of the same committee ‘‘and I made my view very clear’’.
Asked about Mr Jones’ statement about only learning of the policy yesterday, she said Winston Peters had said yesterday morning that her view had been known earlier.
‘‘Probably Minister Jones should have reflected that in the House.’’
She said she had not made an announcement about the policy earlier because ‘‘I hadn’t been asked’’.
National economic development spokesman Paul Goldsmith said Ms Ardern’s comments were ‘‘silly’’ and she should just admit to a Uturn.
‘‘The Minster of Transport has always left the door open to future regional fuel taxes after 2021. That was the point of the legislation.
‘‘It’s a new policy she brought about on the hoof . . . There’s nothing wrong with that . . . but she won’t admit it, and that’s the silly thing.
‘‘She doesn’t seem to be able to accept that she changed her mind, and is now blaming everybody else for her mistake.’’ — NZME