6. Transport Infrastructure—Fuel Taxes and Land Transport ConstructionJAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) to the Minister of TransportTransport Infrastructure—Fuel Taxes and Land Transport Construction6. JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) to the Minister of Transport: Do the funding allocations in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport justify increases in fuel taxes over the next three years; if so how?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): Yes because I think as New Zealanders understand investing in a modern efficient multimodal land transport system across the country to unlock growth and prosperity costs money.Jami-Lee Ross: Why is he continuing with his plan to tax New Zealanders by an extra billion dollars over the next three years when his final Government policy statement shows a billion dollars less being spent in that time frame than his proposed draft statement earlier in the year?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Because the increase in the fuel excise duty and the road-user charge is there to deliver on the Government's priorities in the Government policy statement across a 10-year period. This includes livable cities and thriving regions including following through on the currently committed State highway projects with significant increases to road maintenance including State highway maintenance local roads regional roads walking and cycling in our cities and rail.Jami-Lee Ross: Is he therefore saying he's collecting extra taxes in the next three years but not spending that money in the next three years?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Let me reassure the member that all of the money will be spent and it will be well spent on a mix of transport priorities that reflect the 21st century transport needs of this country.Jami-Lee Ross: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. SPEAKER: I think I know what the point of order is and the Minister will have another try.Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The money will be spent within the three-year period—SPEAKER: Thank you. That's all we need.Jami-Lee Ross: Does he agree with Civil Contractors New Zealand CEO Peter Silcock that transport infrastructure construction expenditure would be reducing over the next two to three years?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I've met with Civil Contractors five times in the last few months specifically to discuss the issue of ensuring that there is a clear continuity a transparent pipeline of new work that reflects the Government's priorities. We've had a very positive dialogue on that and I'll say that Civil Contractors appreciate the new direction in the transport policy. They want to do construction jobs and they are very happy with the mix of projects that we have announced in the Government policy statement. Our Government's doing everything we can to put together a pipeline of work that will give that industry confidence and continuity.Jami-Lee Ross: Isn't the reason why transport construction is slowing over the next three years because this Government has put billions of dollars' worth of planned roading projects on the back-burner while he takes time out to plan his new Auckland tramways?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: This Government has very different transport priorities to the last one. We are not going to waste billions of dollars on a few hand-picked urban motorway projects at the expense of every other part of the transport system. We are going to invest in livable cities and modern rapid transit. We are going to invest in a freight system that gets the best out of coastal shipping and rail and roads. We're committed to a 21st century transport system that is efficient effective and sustainable.