11. Question No. 11—TransportCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 11—Transport11. CHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of Transport: Will he cancel the increase in fuel excise duty and road-user charges that come into effect tomorrow until after the election in light of his Auckland light rail process ending; if not why not?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): No because the project hasn't ended. Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Transport and Treasury to continue work on Auckland light rail and if re-elected we will continue with the project at pace. Chris Bishop: God loves a trier.SPEAKER: Order!Chris Bishop: Sorry Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: I think you withdraw and apologise so I'm consistent with your senior colleague.Chris Bishop: I withdraw and apologise Mr Speaker. I thought I was sotto voce. Why will New Zealanders be paying even more at the pump from tomorrow when the multibillion-dollar light rail project the fuel tax rise was meant to help fund has been canned?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I object to the premise of the member's question. The project hasn't been canned. We are investing billions of dollars in transport infrastructure to boost jobs and grow the economy. That's our focus and frankly I'm surprised that the member is advocating cutting the transport budget because if he hopes to be elected to Government how's he going to pay for his ghost roads? Hon James Shaw: Can he confirm that once the excise increases 3.5c tomorrow prices will still be approximately 40c per litre cheaper than they were in January?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Yes I can confirm that petrol prices are currently lower than at any time since 2017. But that's not enough for our Government—that's not enough for our Government. The Hon Megan Woods is about to bring legislation to the House that will introduce a raft of changes to make the fuel market more competitive and lower prices at the pump.Chris Bishop: What does he say to the road carriers forum who describe the fuel tax increase as a kick in the guts" when throughout the lockdown the road freight industry kept the country moving delivering essential supplies including medicine and food?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well it's true that the road freight industry and the rail sector kept the economy moving and moved vital freight throughout the lockdown. That industry is absolutely dependent on us building good quality transport infrastructure to serve the freight supply chain. That's what our transport budget is intended to do and taking $2 billion out of the transport budget for the next 10 years which is what that member is proposing would reverse all of that work.Chris Bishop: Isn't this the very worst time to be raising fuel tax with household budgets under huge pressure thanks to the economic effects of COVID-19?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Our Government is very concerned about the impact of growing expenses on household budgets but many low and middle income households now receive the Government's Families Package which puts an extra $75 a week into their pockets. Think about the Best Start tax credit changes to the accommodation supplement and Working for Families—not to mention nearly $12 billion put into New Zealand businesses and their employees through the wage subsidy scheme. Chris Bishop: Why is he raising fuel tax at a time when the New Zealand economy is going to go into a recession the likes of which we haven't seen for a generation?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I'm surprised that last week the member was expressing concern about reducing transport revenue and the deflationary effect on the economy and the loss of important transport infrastructure projects. Now he wants to cut transport revenue. He really can't have it both ways.Ginny Andersen: Has the Minister heard from any stakeholders recently on whether he should halt fuel tax?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Yes I heard yesterday from the Automobile Association. The AA said that they are not calling for fuel excise duty and road-user charges to be deferred as they did previously because they recognise that current economic conditions have already reduced transport revenue."