New Zealand First

TRANSPORT

INTRODUCTION

New Zealand is a trading nation and requires a dynamic world class transport sector. Transport is fundamental to exporting, commercial, social, and political activities and is the key to rural lifestyles, and to our place in the world. A fundamental rethink needs to occur in relation to the funding of transport infrastructure and New Zealand First believes this must begin with a review of the tax revenue drawn from the various transport sectors (from road transport through to shipping), and how this is being returned to them.

As an industry transport is the largest employer in the country (the road transport industry alone employs over 45,000 people directly and indirectly). It is an industry which is essential to us all. Without the ability to freight goods and transport passengers this country would come to a standstill.

Yet it is an industry which has been largely overlooked by recent governments. The simple fact is, that a direct correlation exists between funding transport infrastructure and economic growth, and for New Zealand to realise its growth potential it must invest more in this area. There are problems both with our roads and on our roads. There are problems with drivers and vehicles. Our overseas shipping industry has disappeared, our railway is fading, and we have many areas where public transport is far from satisfactory.

New Zealand First is committed to a comprehensive workable transport policy that promotes cost effectiveness, efficiency, and safer transport systems.

ROADING INFRASTRUCTURE

New Zealand First will not allow our roads to be privatised. Government proposals for toll roads must be viewed as an option of last resort, not the solution to our roading infrastructure ills.

However, we recognise that our roads have not kept pace with traffic numbers and vehicle types and that there is a need to address many roading issues.

New Zealand First will:

phase down over time (and out) the excise tax which goes into the Crown Account and thus provide for more financial resources for roading and other transport infrastructure;
implement a roading administration structure (LTNZ/Transit) which is flexible, caters for the input and concerns of local government, and has the ability to borrow against roading income;
immediately upon entering office, ensure that in the short term government investment is made to overcome the shortfall in priority roading infrastructure funding, which has been run down over many years;
upgrade highways, particularly those serving ports, to accommodate trucking (widening/strengthening). We will designate, where appropriate, roads (primarily those linked to strategic assets) as state highways to ensure that they will receive the requisite funding and prioritisation;
ensure that changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) provide for a more rapid consents process for roading projects, while ensuring local input is preserved;
specify a programme to improve rural roading; and,
implement programmes which progressively enhance our roading infrastructure.

ROAD TRANSPORT

New Zealand First will put a strong emphasis on driver competence. It will become more a privilege to drive on our roads as against an automatic right.

New Zealand First will:

establish a Road Safety Review committee to specifically receive and respond to submissions on road and road transport problems, and make recommendations to the appropriate authority;
change the status of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission so that it is a stand alone body with powers as an officer of parliament;
ensure that revenue obtained through speed cameras (about $55 million per year) is used to design better driver education programmes and promote safer driving practices;
trial roadside drug testing using technology currently available overseas;
legislate so that it is an offence to carry an open container of liquor in the seating compartment of a vehicle;
ensure there is automatic loss of driver's licence for any person convicted of highway assault (road rage);
ensure that any person using a motor vehicle in committing a serious crime will automatically suffer loss of licence and in some circumstances their vehicle; and,
ensure that driving qualifications reflect (by way of continuous measured competence) ability in the areas of the driver's knowledge, skill, experience, fitness and attitude. To achieve this simulator training will be investigated and where practical instigated.

RAIL

We will ensure that since the government again owns the tracks they will never again be allowed to fall into the state of disrepair that successive government's allowed them to by:

ensuring that (New Zealand Railways Corporation (NZRC) receives adequate funding to fulfil its functions;
ensuring that the tracks are never able to be on-sold again;
providing incentives for cargo movers to direct more of their freight to rail or coastal shipping by introducing a Rail Freight Grant scheme that will allow expansion of the network; and,
ensuring that funding for rail safety standards is maintained at an adequate level.

SHIPPING

As an island nation New Zealand is largely dependent upon exports to expand our economy. There is a need for our trade to be served by efficient shipping services. Currently we have a coastal fleet which is struggling to survive. All other shipping servicing our exports and imports is foreign owned.

New Zealand First is committed to the expansion of our Merchant Fleet. We will provide a favourable fiscal regime (a tonnage tax or alternatively a second register) for coastal shipping provided the companies are New Zealand resident, register their vessels here, employ New Zealanders, and commit to officer training.

New Zealand First will establish an inquiry into which favourable fiscal regime is best as a means of improving the viability of New Zealand's shipping industry.

Equally favourable fiscal regimes will be provided as appropriate for Australasian/Pacific shipping provided that the company is resident in New Zealand, and that they similarly register their vessels here, employ New Zealanders, and commit to officer training.

For those operating on other international routes a favourable fiscal regime will be provided where the company is resident in New Zealand, its vessels are also registered in New Zealand, if a stipulated minimum number of New Zealand crew is employed, and where there is a commitment to officer training.

RECREATIONAL BOATING

The New Zealand Coastguard provides an essential service but is dramatically under funded, relying heavily on donations and voluntarily raised income.

New Zealand First will:

explore alternative funding bases for the coastguard and other water safety organisations; and,
allocate petrol taxes generated by boating activities to these operations.

AVIATION

New Zealand First will protect our investment in Air New Zealand by ensuring its long-term viability by such measures as an accelerated depreciation regime on aircraft and tax incentives similar to those made available to Singapore Airlines by its Government. We consider Air New Zealand to be a key strategic asset.

FUNDING AND DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

New Zealand First believes:

Land Transport New Zealand and New Zealand Railways Corporation should be structured on a business-like basis; and,
both entities should be independently administered, able to charge users, and be able to borrow against future income ideally from the Superannuation Fund. The petrol excise tax which currently goes into the Crown Account should, on a gradual basis, be fully applied to the development of transport infrastructure and services via LTNZ and New Zealand Railways Corporation. This would be achieved by defining the proportion which goes to these organisations for roading development, public transport, enhanced safety programmes, development of rail services, and debt repayment.


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New Zealand First
Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Phone: (04) 471 9292 Fax: (04) 472 8557
info@nzfirst.org.nz

Authorised by Doug Woolerton, 7 Chelsea Place, Chartwell, Hamilton