Contractors Back National’s Infrastructure Plan
August 14th, 2008
The NZ Contractors’ Federation has come out in support of the National Party’s pledge to spend billions on infrastructure over 20 years saying the plan represents an intergenerational investment. The Federation says it has been calling for the development of a 20-year infrastructure plan for several years and CEO, Richard Michael, hails the announcement as “a great step forward for future growth for the entire country.” Michael says such a long term plan will also benefit its members in terms of certainty, timing of work and forward planning. “forward planning on this scale would also help our industry plan for the future in an orderly way. It would be extremely positive in terms of recruitment and staff retention and give the industry the ability to invest in new plant and machinery.”
Debt Funding Welcome. The proposed creation of a Minister of Infrastructure will also be a very positive step because he says infrastructure cuts across a range of Ministerial portfolios. and a new Ministry will be able to play an important co-ordination role among the diverse range of stakeholders. The Federation also supports National’s plan to extend Govt debt to fund the $5bn it proposes spending on infrastructure. “Infrastructure should be regarded as intergenerational assets.” Michael believes well-considered borrowing in the way suggested is perfectly feasible and will not adversely affect NZ’s economic future.
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