5. Quesiton No. 5—TransportMIKE BUTTERICK (National—Wairarapa) to the Minister of TransportQuesiton No. 5—Transport5. MIKE BUTTERICK (National—Wairarapa) to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made about the Wairarapa and Manawatū commuter rail lines?Hon SIMEON BROWN (Minister of Transport): Thank you Mr Speaker. This morning I announced alongside the Hon Nicola Willis and the Hon Chris Bishop the coalition Government is investing into the Wairarapa and Manawatū commuter rail lines which will deliver a fleet of 18 new trains as part of a funding agreement between the Government and the Greater Wellington and Horizons regional councils. This Government is investing in the lower - North Island commuter rail network to improve service reliability reduce congestion and support economic growth and now we're getting on with getting the work done. [Interruption]Mike Butterick: Supplementary.SPEAKER: Just wait till the House is silent and not engaging in little conversations left right and centre.Mike Butterick: What impacts will this have on travel times between the Wairarapa and Wellington?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well this investment comes as welcome news for hard-working people in the Wairarapa region with passengers travelling on the Wairarapa line set to receive many benefits including higher-frequency services and travel-time savings. Speeds on the Wairarapa line will be increased from 90 kilometres per hour to 110 kilometres per hour on the train line with these upgrades resulting in significant travel-time savings of 15 minutes for passengers travelling between Wellington and Masterton.Suze Redmayne: Will this investment—SPEAKER: I haven't called you. Is this a new question or should I just bundle a whole lot together?Suze Redmayne: Sorry. Supplementary Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: Call on Suze Redmayne.Suze Redmayne: Will this investment deliver higher-frequency services for the Manawatū?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Yes. The investment will deliver higher-frequency—SPEAKER: Can't say much more than that.Hon SIMEON BROWN: —services for the Manawatū.SPEAKER: Thank you. Thank you.Hon SIMEON BROWN: Isn't that great?Suze Redmayne: What infrastructure upgrades are planned for the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well infrastructure work's been carried out to support the reliable operation of the new trains and increased services on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines. There'll be platform upgrades at stations north of Waikanae and Upper Hutt to enable the operation of new trains and the provision of three stabling facilities. There will also be upgrades to track and signalling infrastructure on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines. Our Government is committed to investing in a reliable public transport network so that local councils can deliver the public transport services New Zealanders need. [Interruption]Suze Redmayne: Supplementary. Supplementary?SPEAKER: I'm sorry. I'm having trouble hearing given the commentary that's coming from our left.Hon Kieran McAnulty: Sorry I was yelling at Simeon. Sorry.SPEAKER: Yeah. Yeah you were. And I was trying to ignore you so I'm sorry you called attention to yourself.Tangi Utikere: Kia orana Mr Speaker. Does he stand by his confirmation to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee last month that this the lower - North Island rail investment package is simply a continuation of what was in Budget 2023; if not why not?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well on this side of the House we actually deliver. On that side of the House they just talk.Hon Kieran McAnulty: Point of order. That was a very simple and straightforward question asking the Minister if he stood by his statement confirming that the previous Budget provided the funding that they reannounced today. Then swiping back with that sort of thing that didn't address the question I don't think is appropriate.SPEAKER: Yes. And before I had any opportunity to make a comment on it you're on your feet calling a point of order. So: fast out of the blocks and in this case correct.Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well Mr Speaker I'd like to remind members on that side of the House that it is New Zealanders who provide the funding not the Government and they should respect the hard-working taxpayers who are helping to fund this significant upgrade.Tangi Utikere: Is the Government so desperate to announce something that is not a cut that they are now resorting to reannouncing previous Governments' announcements?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well this—Hon Dr Megan Woods: The man of no vision.SPEAKER: Well I'll you what. This is a really interesting position here because he has no responsibility for anything the previous Government did. But anyway you can answer it. [Interruption]Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well thank you Mr Speaker and—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Which would entirely make it an initiative of the current Government if you think about your logic. [Interruption]Hon SIMEON BROWN: Could I ask the member to repeat the question? SPEAKER: Right we'll go with absolute silence.Hon SIMEON BROWN: Could I ask the member to repeat his question?SPEAKER: No you can't.Hon SIMEON BROWN: OK. Well all I'd say to the member opposite is: as I said earlier this Government is about delivery; that Government was simply about announcements and that's why they got voted out on 14 October last year.