'Bridges is hopelessly confused' - Transport Minister Twyford hits back at National over regional fuel tax repeal

Transport Minister Phil Twyford has fired back at Opposition leader Simon Bridges after National committed to repealing the regional fuel tax (RFT).

Mr Twyford says National would have to cancel vital Auckland transport projects such as Mill Road and Penlink if it scrapped the proposed regional fuel tax, which the Auckland Council is voting on today.

"National Leader Simon Bridges is hopelessly confused. One moment he is accusing the government of robbing the provinces, next he’s saying they should pay to solve Auckland’s gridlock," Mr Twyford said in a statement.

"Aucklanders want their traffic nightmare to end now. They can’t wait 30 years while National holds back Auckland’s growth. The majority of Aucklanders want a regional fuel tax because they understand the rest of the country cannot fund their transport solutions."

In his first economic speech, Mr Bridges had said the RFT was an unnecessary tax and would cost an average Auckland family around $700 a year.

Mr Bridges also added that the government and Auckland Council should not need the RFT to raise funds for transport projects.

"The Government and Auckland Council should be applying more discipline to their own finances in order to properly fund core services such as transport," he said.

The Transport Minister said Bridges’ first economic speech raises more questions than answers.

"Simon Bridges says National would fund ATAP through the 'national budget,'" Mr Twyford said. 

"He needs to tell New Zealanders what social services and infrastructure projects he would cut to find the $4.3 billion raised from regional fuel tax changes, on top of the $10.5 billion worth of new super highways he promised.”