Bennett David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Bennett David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:652;Page:1147] 
10.  
DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) 
 to the  
Minister of Transport 
: What announcements has the Minister made on accelerating State highway projects? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 This morning the Prime Minister with my humble assistance announced that we will be accelerating $142 million worth of State highway projects. This funding is over and above that available from the National Land Transport Fund and will have an immediate impact on regional economies and their workforce. Further announcements will be made soon in respect of further increasing investment in New Zealand’s State highway network. 
Sandra Goudie 
: What benefits will the Waikato region receive as a result of this morning’s announcements? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: The replacement of the current one-lane Kopu Bridge has been included which means construction can commence in July of this year and be finished a year earlier than would otherwise have occurred. This bridge is a very longstanding source of frustration for people travelling to and from the Coromandel going back many years. Members can expect further announcements on improving our State highway infrastructure in the near future. 
Craig Foss 
: Will any projects be accelerated in the Hawke’s Bay region? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: The Hawke’s Bay will benefit from the acceleration of both the southern link extension of the Hawke’s Bay Expressway and the Matahorua Gorge realignment. These projects are worth a combined $55 million and will provide a significant boost to local contractors and suppliers. 
Hon Darren Hughes 
: Can the Minister confirm that 20 percent of the State highways that have been named today are being brought forward by the grand total of 3 months at the enormous cost of zero dollars and is this not symbolic of the half-hearted nature of the transport package he has announced today? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: I can confirm that one of the projects is being brought forward 3 months which does not amount to bringing money across 1 year but it is interesting that with a new Minister and a new Government the New Zealand Transport Agency seems to be able to work quicker than under the old Government. 
Amy Adams 
: What projects in Canterbury were announced for acceleration this morning? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: I am delighted to announce that construction work will finally be able to begin on the Christchurch southern motorway extension. This has been a long time coming. In fact my colleague David Carter wrote to all Christchurch MPs back in June 2004 I believe asking them to support this project. Members can expect further announcements on improving our State highway infrastructure in the near future. 
Hon Darren Hughes 
: How can the country have any confidence in the figures used today by the Minister when yesterday he overstated the cost of the Waterview Connection by only $750 million and made a mistake with Transmission Gully costings and can he also confirm to the House that he is meant to be the Associate Minister of Finance? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: The figures I quoted yesterday in regard to the Waterview Connection were those from the business case commissioned by the previous Government. The figures in relation to Transmission Gully were from the announcements made by the previous Government as well.