9 June 2008

National will boost Investment in Infrastructure

Observing the most recent bout of bad weather to hit the country, and the South Island in particular, Chris Auchinvole, National MP, acknowledges the despair of the public over growing power bills.  

He says, “The struggling electricity infrastructure in the present power crisis parallels the Labour Government’s poor handling of all other infrastructure in the country.  The poorly-maintained Cook Strait cable is operating far below capacity and, thanks to looming power shortages, the electricity industry is warning that prices will be affected in coming months. 

Power isn’t the only infrastructure problem we face,” says Mr Auchinvole.  “Transport costs are escalating, making it harder to move goods and people to where they need to go.  Poor broadband penetration has put a brake on our ability to take up the opportunities the Internet has to offer.

“Rather than address these major problems, Labour has blown record surpluses on a massive increase in bureaucracy and spent over $1 billion re-nationalising rail.  It has failed to prepare New Zealand for the future.

“National will do better. We know that modern, efficient and reliable infrastructure can lower the cost of producing and transporting goods, lessen impacts on the environment, and help reduce pressure on the cost of living. That’s why boosting investment in infrastructure is a key part of National’s five-point plan for the economy.

“We will be announcing our infrastructure policy in the run-up to the election, but we have already outlined several initiatives. These include:

•  Reforming the Resource Management Act and ensuring that high-quality renewable power projects can be built more affordably and more rapidly.

•  Working with the private sector to boost investment in roads, electricity, telecommunications and water.

•  Investing up to $1.5 billion in Crown capital over six years to accelerate the roll-out of ultrafast broadband to businesses, schools, health facilities and homes.

•  Developing a long-term national infrastructure plan that sets out what we are going to build, when we are going to build it, and how we are going to fund it.

“National will confront New Zealand’s infrastructure problems. We will boost investment in our transport, electricity, and telecommunications networks. And we will build a wealthier, more prosperous future for all New Zealanders,” says Mr Auchinvole.