Brown Peter: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Brown Peter: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:622;Page:17431] 
10.  
PETER BROWN (Deputy Leader—NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister of Transport 
: What issues if any will be presented to the people of Tauranga for consultation with regard to any potential tolling of the Tauranga Harbour link project and what is the expected time frame for any such consultation? 
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 The Tauranga City Council would lead such a consultation process in partnership with Transit so I suggest the member directs the question to the council. However I understand that consultation may well start before Christmas and run through into March of next year. 
Peter Brown 
: Will the Minister ensure that the consultation process informs the people of Tauranga exactly what any toll of the harbour link project will cover—that is whether it will cover the total infrastructure which is estimated at $190 million or just the local road component which is the bridge and which is estimated at $30 million? Will he ensure that the consultation process clarifies those issues? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: No. It is not my job to ensure that the consultation process starts off properly. It is my job to ensure that when the consultation process results are presented to me I am satisfied that it was up to scratch. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: If the entry on to the harbour bridge is a State highway and the exit from the bridge is a State highway why is the bridge not a State highway? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: Again the question is best directed to those responsible for designations—in this case Transit. However— 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: You’re the Minister. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Let the Minister at least finish his answer. 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: I will just say that I am not legally entitled to make such a designation but I will go on and say to the member that it is also the case that the designation does not influence the likelihood that the bridge would be built sooner with tolling and later without. 
Hon Ken Shirley 
: Has the Minister received any submission whatsoever from the member for Tauranga on the Tauranga Harbour link project; if so was that submission in support of the toll proposal opposed to the toll proposal or not clear? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: Yes I have. On the other hand I have not received a submission from the member who asked the question. 
Hon Ken Shirley 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was very clear and very specific. I asked whether the Minister has received a submission from the member for Tauranga and whether it was in support of or opposed to the toll proposal. The Minister made no attempt whatsoever to answer that question. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: He started off by saying “Yes” which I think is certainly an answer. 
Larry Baldock 
: Can the Minister assure the House and the good people of Tauranga that if the consultation process were as shallow and as flawed as the original questioner has suggested when it came to the Minister giving his approval he would see that that issue was addressed properly? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: The member is absolutely correct. I am responsible under the Land Transport Management Act for ensuring prior to recommending approval of any tolling project that the project meets the objectives of the Act and that it has a high level of public support.