11. Question No. 11—TransportBRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 11—Transport11. BRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister of Transport: Can he rule out any further increases in transport taxes or charges under this Government?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Associate Minister of Transport) on behalf of the Minister of Transport: On behalf of the Minister what I can say is that this Government has been very transparent about planned increases to road-user charges and fuel excise duties. The Government has announced an increase in petrol excise duty of 3.5c per litre to take effect from 30 September 2018 and further 3.5c increases in 2019 and 2020. Road-user charges will increase by an equivalent amount. All fuel excise duty and road-user charges contribute to building our transport system and every responsible Government plans and lets the public know about how they're going to fund investments in infrastructure. Brett Hudson: Supplementary. SPEAKER: No we're not even up to that yet. I realise the member's delivering an answer on behalf of another Minister but she does have responsibility to have the question asked addressed. Have another go.Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: I cannot rule it out because as I said we've been very transparent about—SPEAKER: That's all right; that's clear. The member's done it now. Brett Hudson: Why is the Government exploring additional funding tools to raise money for transport projects? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: On behalf of the Minister because we have a massive infrastructure deficit in this country. On this side of the House we believe in investing in infrastructure that benefits New Zealand society and business. Over the three-year period of this National Land Transport Programme we will invest over $8.5 billion on highways local roads safety improvements and maintenance including an increase to road policing—all of which languished and actually had a reduction in funding under that previous National Government.Brett Hudson: Will the additional funding tools Treasury reports the Ministry of Transport is exploring add to the costs being faced by New Zealand motorists? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: That is a hypothetical question.Brett Hudson: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In the Budget documents released by Treasury Treasury makes it clear that the Ministry of Transport is actively considering these things. It's a fair question. SPEAKER: I think all the member's doing is disagreeing with an answer which is not a point of order. I think he actually knows that doesn't he. Brett Hudson: Why when the Government increases to fuel taxes will bring in over $1 billion in new tax revenue is he looking at new funding tools to raise even more money?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: On behalf of the Minister we have in New Zealand an infrastructure deficit and I'm sure that most people would agree with that. We have a need to invest in the quality and safety of our roads right across the country and the previous Government failed to sufficiently invest in safety failed to invest in the type of maintenance we needed for our local roads and our State highways and failed to plan to increase rail and public transport which is vitally important and this Government is committed to investing in the future of transport in New Zealand.Brett Hudson: Does he agree with the New Zealand Transport Agency that the National Land Transport Fund is nearly fully committed; and if so does that mean that there is no money available for new projects?Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER: I would have to see that quote. It doesn't sound correct to me.