Yes we know what National did between 2010 and Wednesday 27 January 2018
While we laud the fact the main project for the City Rail Link is set to start in 2018 thanks to the Government (see: #CRL Redux From Yesterday) it has not escaped attention that since 2010 National had poo-pooed it making up just about every excuse under the Sun. And while since around 2012-2013 I blogged that National would commit to a City Rail Link start date around 2017-2018 due to votes and their fourth term we can all finally go THANK YOU LEN BROWN for his tireless work in getting Auckland to the 2018 start line (see: Government Confirms to City Rail Link Starting 2018 #AKLPols . Thank You Len!).
The fact Government dithering until yesterday has not escaped the crew at Spinoff either with their A brief history of National MPs trashing the rail link they just funded post giving a recount on the last five and a half years of National dithering.
CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND – SEPTEMBER 05: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key (R) and Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee talk at an historic post cabinet press conference on September 5, 2011 in Christchurch, New Zealand.The cabinet met in Christchurch, rather than Wellington, to show support of quake victims one year following the first earthquake to hit the region. (Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)
Source: http://thespinoff.co.nz/28-01-2016/a-brief-history-of-national-mps-trashing-the-rail-link-they-just-funded/
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – JUNE 28: Minister of Economic Development, Science and Innovation, Small Business ,Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Steven Joyce, speaks during the National Party Annual Conference at Michael Fowler Centre on June 28, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. Around 600 National MPs and delegates are expected to gather for the two day conference, during which new policies will be released ahead of New Zealand’s general election in September. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Source: http://thespinoff.co.nz/28-01-2016/a-brief-history-of-national-mps-trashing-the-rail-link-they-just-funded/
Given Key and Joyce are using the same language around road tolls in Auckland as they did in 2013 with the City Rail Link I think it is safe to say that in 2017 we will hear an announcement around tolling happening…