Hughes Darren: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Hughes Darren: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:623;Page:18322] 
6.  
DARREN HUGHES (Labour—Otaki) 
 to the  
Minister of Transport 
: What recent announcements has the Government made about transport infrastructure in the Wellington region? 
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 Last week this Government announced a $225 million package to help improve the region’s passenger transport and tackle congestion on its roads. 
Darren Hughes 
: What responses if any has the Minister received to the Wellington transport package? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: The chair of the Wellington Regional Council describes the package as “a turning point for the region’s transport system that will save us from Auckland-style congestion.” The mayors are equally delighted saying that it is fantastic news for the region. 
Hon Maurice Williamson 
: Why after 5 years of this Government are we still waiting for yet another report on an alternative route to Centennial Highway where there has recently been shocking loss of life and when will the private sector finally be given the green light to commence the long-overdue construction of Transmission Gully? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: The reason we have a report coming later this year is that the last two reports suggested that the costs of fixing Transmission Gully were either $300 million or $1000 million. We thought that a little more certainty than that would be a good idea. 
Sue Kedgley 
: Can the Minister assure the people of Wellington that the Government remains committed to upgrading and expanding passenger rail services in the Wellington region and does not support putting on hold the desperately needed refurbishment of the 50-year-old carriages on the Johnsonville line as the Wellington mayor is urging? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: I can confirm that as the result of negotiations between the Wellington Regional Council and the Government precisely that activity is listed as priority No. 1. 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: Can the Minister indicate to the House what the Government’s intentions are with regard to the outcome of the western corridor study specifically in terms of alternative access to and egress from Wellington via State Highway 1? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: I acknowledge the member’s strong and longstanding commitment to trying to resolve this issue. The report jointly funded by Transit and the Wellington Regional Council is due to come out in its final form in November; but the Government is of the view that interim information with sufficient particularity about Transmission Gully Centennial Highway double tracking and electrification of the railway to Waikanae etc. should be available around April. We think the smart thing to do is probably to put that information into the arena as soon as we have it to bring the debate on so that we can get discussion around this region about what solution might be the best. 
Luamanuvao Winnie Laban 
: What other reports has the Minister seen on the need to invest in transport infrastructure? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: Needless to say I have seen many but one is of particular interest. It came from the leader of the National Party who went to Auckland in May last year and said we needed to spend billions and billions on transport but then came back to Wellington and voted against the money being allocated. 
Hon Paul Swain 
: What role did local members of Parliament play in securing the Wellington transport package? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: They played a vital role. That package cost me a lot of evenings. I wish to pay special tribute to Labour members of Parliament in the Wellington region. They are the only electorate members in the Wellington region with the exception of the leader of United Future. I also thank United Future and the Green Party for their involvement. We now have a package in which many people have played a part and I congratulate them all. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Which part of that peroration about lazy Labour Party members and the United Party was to do with the answer to the question? It was a total waste of time—total verbiage. Listening to congratulations to a doormat party is a waste of my time. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member might be interested to know that that is not a point of order; it is a point of comment. He has made his point.