7. Transport Infrastructure—Ōtaki to Levin Expressway and Light RailJAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) to the Minister of TransportTransport Infrastructure—Ōtaki to Levin Expressway and Light Rail7. JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by all his statements and actions?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): Yes including my action of putting before the House the Land Transport Management (Regional Fuel Tax) Amendment Bill which passed its second reading in the House unanimously.SPEAKER: Order! That's enough. The question is well and truly answered.Jami-Lee Ross: Did he advise the Prime Minister to assure the public that the Ōtaki to Levin expressway would continue as planned—a statement which is now false?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I advised the Prime Minister to say that—at the time she was asked that question—nothing had changed in relation to that highway project.Jami-Lee Ross: Does he agree with the Prime Minister when she stated in relation to Labour's Government policy statement that Ōtaki is continuing in the same way. If we hadn't done anything last week Ōtaki would be in exactly the same position as it is now and will continue to be."?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: At the time the Prime Minister made that statement the exploratory work the public consultation around the future alignment of that roading project was continuing. The Prime Minister was correct.Jami-Lee Ross: When will he tell the Prime Minister that her statement in April is now false given that the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is re-evaluating the Ōtaki to Levin expressway?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The NZTA is now re-evaluating that expressway. It's re-evaluating and rescoping dozens and dozens of roading projects around the country. In light of the Government policy statement on land transport which prioritises safety and which prioritises access reducing carbon emissions and resilience it's a great transport policy and it's going to deliver a fantastic transport system.Jamie Strange: How has the Government updated its policy on light rail?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Both this Government and the previous one had plans for light rail. The previous Government began work on route protection but wanted to wait to start construction until 2047. This Government believes that three decades is a little too long to leave Aucklanders stuck in worsening congestion so we've made light rail a priority and we've begun the process to start building it.Jami-Lee Ross: Does he agree with the NZTA representative who said in the Dominion Post this morning that the Ōtaki to Levin expressway was being re-evaluated "to better align with the new Labour-led Government's transport policy"—something the Prime Minister said would not happen?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I do agree with that NZTA staffer because she just articulated something that's almost exactly the same as the answer I just gave in the House.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could I ask the Minister as to whether or not the successful passage of his bill through the House with the support of all sides of Parliament is an example of being a lion in the electorate and a lamb in Parliament?SPEAKER: Order!Rt Hon Winston Peters: What's wrong with that?SPEAKER: Well the Minister has no responsibility for other members' behaviour inside or outside of the Parliament."