Unions Hit Out At Road Focus Of Stimulus Package
February 19th, 2009
The Govt’s transport infrastructure spend up plans have come under fire from groups representing the rail industry which claims the programme has all but ignored other modes of transport.
Emissions concerns ignored. The Maritime Union of NZ and Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) says the Govt’s economic stimulus plans focuses transport investment exclusively on roading. It is concerned the focus will undermine the ability of the transport sector to cut emissions and reduce NZ’s dependency on imported oil to meet its transport needs. RMTU General Secretary, Wayne Butson, says, “In a time when we need to lower our reliance on fossil fuel powered vehicles … leaving out urgent rail and ports infrastructure investment is a mistake.”
Rail’s future in doubt. The union is concerned at the possible future for the rail network if it is starved on funding in the future. “Rail was privatised by the last National Govt and it appears this ideological anti-rail approach was still around,” Butson says around the world, Govts are investing in upgrading rail industries, and the sector is noticing it is losing its skilled NZ workers overseas as rail operators expand their operations to meet the demand of growing business opportunities. He says the previous Govt gave strong support to rail, retaining vital skills in NZ but the negative message now is rail is not part of the picture for the new Govt.
Anti-rail policy. The transport unions say while the Govt is correct in investing in infrastructure as a stimulus for the economy, its sole focus on investing in roads is wrong. Butson says rail was privatised by the last National Govt and it appears this ideological anti-rail approach is still around. Ministers say the Govt is looking at bigger transport projects, including rail, to ensure they are the best option. They need to be measured for effectiveness alongside roading projects.
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