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PM: 'No need' for fuel tax to pay for Auckland's transport

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 7 Aug 2017, 9:17AM

PM: 'No need' for fuel tax to pay for Auckland's transport

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 7 Aug 2017, 9:17AM

The Prime Minister says there's no need for a fuel tax to pay for Auckland's transport.

Labour has announced plans to fast track a light rail between the city and the airport, saying some of the money for it would come from a regional fuel tax.

Bill English told Mike Hosking the idea of a fuel tax isn't just unpopular, it's unnecessary.

"You don't need it, that's the real thing, you don't need it if you put yourself under a little bit of pressure and manage the money well, you can get these projects done without the petrol tax."

Mr English said his advisors have told him it would be hard to isolate a fuel tax to just the Auckland region.

He said Labour is a high tax party, and this is just the beginning.

"The indications are the new leader, Ms Ardern, wouldn't rule out putting up income tax the other day, so look she's got to follow through, we'll see where she gets to."

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PRIME MINISTER BILL ENGLISH ABOVE

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