Genter Julie Anne: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Genter Julie Anne: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 22 August 2012. Volume:683;Page:4626. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
8. 
JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green) 
 to the  
Minister of Transport 
: Will he reconsider the Government’s motorway projects in light of the impact that record high petrol prices may have on motorway usage; if not why not? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 No. Petrol prices do fluctuate and they do spike but that would be no basis to abandon an infrastructure programme that will deliver intergenerational positives for the economy and the environment. The inputs to pump price these days are somewhat different. It is noticeable that Z Energy is leading the way at the present time. Last weekend it had a supermarket deal arrangement that saw discounts of 10c a litre for a $100 spend up to 50c a litre for a $400 spend. It is clearly evident then that the pump price is an extremely irrational input into the consideration of strategic transport policy. 
Julie Anne Genter 
: Given that high oil prices and low economic growth have resulted in stagnant traffic volumes for more than 5 years now in New Zealand what evidence does he have that spending $12 billion on a few new motorways is the best way to move people and freight and get the economic outcomes that he wants? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: I think it is unfair to say that traffic volumes have been stagnant when there are so many places around New Zealand where there is very significant congestion. Our view would be that not only would you be getting rid of that congestion by having better motorways but also you would save on the miles spent in journeys and the time that the engines are running which is very good for the environment. 
Julie Anne Genter 
: I seek leave to table for the benefit of the House the State highway traffic volume growth index from the New Zealand Transport Agency which shows clearly that there has been no growth in traffic volumes on State highways since 2004. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document from the New Zealand Transport Agency. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 









Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Julie Anne Genter 
: Does the Government’s motorway building programme not amount to a $12 billion bet that petrol prices will not continue to rise at 8 percent a year as they have for the past decade? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: No. The build is about getting better infrastructure for roading. Further I would say that there are a number of studies—the member as a transport economist would understand—that suggest that the price of petrol relative to decisions people make about transport modes is inelastic. 
Julie Anne Genter 
: So what specific evidence does the Minister have that shows that these motorways are the best value-for-money way to improve economic productivity? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: We are a very long way from the original question but what I would say is that where there is a reduction in congestion there is an economic positive—no question about that. If the member wants further proof that New Zealanders think these are good ideas she needs to look only at the electoral returns from 2011. 
Julie Anne Genter 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I do not believe the Minister answered my question which was about the specific evidence—[ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! I must hear the point of order in silence please. 
Julie Anne Genter 
: I do not believe that the Minister addressed the question which was very specific and it was about the specific evidence that shows that these projects are the best value-for-money way to improve economic performance and reduce congestion. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I think the Minister answered that he believed that they were and that was the evidence that he was basing the decision on. If the Minister having heard the point of order wishes to add anything further to it he is welcome to but if the Minister feels he—I do not think I can require the Minister to answer further. The member does have a further supplementary though. 
Julie Anne Genter 
: Does the Minister expect the economic impact of borrowing for these motorways to be similar to that in Greece which also borrowed billions to build new motorways over the past decade; if not why not? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: No. I think it is arguable as to whether the situation that arose in Greece was to do with its borrowing for roads so much as it was to do with its extraordinary borrowing for large monolithic rail networks. 
Julie Anne Genter 
: I seek leave to table this report from the European Commission. It is a strategic evaluation of transport investment priorities it is the final country report for Greece and it shows that it spent the vast majority of its money on motorways not on rail projects. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that European Commission document. Is there any objection? There is objection. Question No. 9 Dr Cam Calder. 
Dr Cam Calder 
: To the Minister of Health—[ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! I apologise. Was there a supplementary question on question No. 8? [ 
Interruption 
] Order! I did not hear the member call; I will take the blame for that. 
Phil Twyford 
: Does he think that the $8 billion spent on public relations—sorry that should be $8 million spent—[ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! I apologise to the member. Those of us who have not had a slip of the tongue should be the only ones able to cast the first stone. We all do that. 
Phil Twyford 
: It is very easy Mr Speaker to make that kind of mistake with the roads— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! Let us just have the question. 
Phil Twyford 
: Does he think that the $8 million spent on public relations for the roads of national significance is enough to placate the millions of New Zealanders who are concerned about the cuts to public transport projects the flatlining of maintenance of local roads and State highways the underfunding of KiwiRail and the sheer waste of billions of dollars on the roads of national significance? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: I completely reject the supposition that the member is basing his question upon. But what I would say is that over the last 24 months I have heard nothing from Labour members other than “spend more on communications” in a range of portfolio interests I currently have. What is more if that money had not been spent that member would be talking about a secret roading plan.