8. Question No. 8—TransportHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 8—Transport8. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Transport: Does this Government intend to proceed with the separate structure for walking and cycling alongside the Auckland Harbour Bridge" as proposed; if not when will he formally cancel it?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): A separate structure for walking and cycling alongside the Auckland Harbour Bridge remains the preferred option within the New Zealand Upgrade Programme package alongside our work to advance an alternative Waitematā Harbour crossing. As previously outlined Ministers will make final decisions about how to take the project forward and give Aucklanders walking and cycling access across the Waitematā after receiving final advice from officials.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Are comments by New Zealand Herald political editor Claire Trevett that "[the PM] has all but confirmed the Government will scrap the unpopular plan for a $785 million Auckland cycle bridge" an accurate assessment of the Government's position on the bridge?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I'm quite certain that both Claire Trevett and myself are very pleased that neither of us have responsibility for the comments of the other one but what I can confirm is that the Government does continue to look to the best options to give Aucklanders walking and cycling access across the Waitematā Harbour. [Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! Order! I am going to reiterate that again yesterday I received a series of complaints about barracking drowning out answers and—sorry I should have stood up and that would have meant that it was less likely that there'd be interjection. Can people just wind it back so people who are trying to listen to this some of whom think it's important can actually hear it.Chris Bishop: Point of order Mr Speaker. I take your point but the Minister made a reasonably wry remark that provoked some humour from this side of the House; in fact it provoked some humour from his colleagues notably the Deputy Prime Minister. We can't get to a situation where the House can't enjoy a moment of levity and respond accordingly and I put it to you that that should be allowed and in fact encouraged.SPEAKER: Yeah and if there'd been a brief moment of levity as the member said and not cries of derision drowning out the Minister then I would totally agree with him. I'd love the place to be happier much more of the time.Hon Michael Woodhouse: What has changed in just 68 days from when he said "Auckland [wouldn't] reach its potential without it." and now when it's being scrapped?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I reject the assertion in the member's question. The Government has consistently remained committed to walking and cycling access across the Waitematā Harbour—that is something that Aucklanders want to see happen. But we've always taken the point of view that we'll listen to the advice we'll listen to the views that we hear and we'll make the best decisions about how we take that project forward. Hon Michael Woodhouse: Supplementary. SPEAKER: No no before the member goes I just want to say that there are now members down the far end who are having conversations with each other which are making their way up here.Hon Member: Humour's contagious.SPEAKER: It's hard enough with the main problem causes without having additional ones adding to it thank you.Hon Michael Woodhouse: How can the New Zealand public distinguish between projects that are cancelled and projects that are delayed when the words "remains the preferred option" are used for both situations?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Well I've been very clear and the Government's been very clear that we have an option that is in front of us at the moment. I think that New Zealanders are sufficiently aware of the fact that that's the option but that the Government continues to consider the evidence. I don't think that's a particularly difficult concept for anyone to get their heads around.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has he been thrown under the bus by the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister and if so does he wish he was in East Auckland where at least there wouldn't be a bus to throw himself under?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: No I haven't but if perchance someday I am thrown under the bus I'll have a check and see if the homeless man's hiding under there too. [Interruption]SPEAKER: All right OK—both sides have had some fun."