Organisers of tomorrow night’s transport debate in Auckland are delighted that Minister of Transport Hon. Gerry Brownlee will now be attending.

Previously National had advised that North Shore MP Maggie Barry would be speaking, however the announcement comes after reported comments from Mr Brownlee on the possibility of an early start to the first downtown stage of the City Rail Link.

“It will be a great chance to hear how the National Party are planning to improve the movement of people and freight in Auckland,” said Cameron Pitches, spokesperson for the Campaign for Better Transport.

“We are looking forward to having a policy based discussion in the public arena. We are hoping for some solid transport policy commitments for Auckland from each of the parties attending.

Representatives from six political parties will be speaking, followed by an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions.

TransportBlog contributor Patrick Reynolds will also be on hand to talk about the Congestion Free Network, a public transport initiative that focuses on moving people effectively around Auckland at peak times.

“The competing demands for infrastructure investment takes place in a fast changing global context and the stakes are high. Nothing short of the nation’s economic performance, quality of life, and international competitiveness are at stake. So which parties can provide most compelling evidence that their policies have the best fit for this new century?,” said Mr Reynolds.

Luke Christensen from Generation Zero explained; “We’ll be looking at how each party will reduce congestion and if they have an integrated long term transport strategy for Auckland to achieve their proposed reduction.”

In addition to Mr Brownlee, the full line-up of speakers includes Phil Twyford (Labour), Julie Anne Genter (Greens), Denis O’Rourke (NZ First), David Seymour (ACT) and Damian Light who will be representing UnitedFuture.

Members of the public are advised to arrive early for the meeting, which starts at 7:30pm sharp at the Ellen Melville Hall, which is located on O’Connell St in central Auckland.

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Auckland’s Transport Election Debate
Pioneer Women’s and Ellen Melville Hall, Freyberg Square, Auckland Central.
Wednesday 27th August, 7:30pm sharp. Building access from 6:00pm.

Organised by The Campaign For Better Transport, TransportBlog and Generation Zero.

North Shore MP Maggie Barry will be talking transport at an upcoming election debate to be held on Wednesday 27th August.

Organisers The Campaign for Better Transport, along with TransportBlog and Generation Zero, are pleased that all the main parties will now be represented at the debate. National had previously advised that the current Minister of Transport Gerry Brownlee was unable to attend.

“We’re happy that National recognise how important transport issues are to Aucklanders. The debate will give all parties the opportunity to put forward their ideas for improving and funding transport in New Zealand’s biggest city,” said spokesperson Cameron Pitches.

“It will be great to have a policy based discussion in the public arena. We are hoping for some solid transport policy commitments for Auckland from each of the parties attending.”

Each speaker has been allocated up to ten minutes to speak, to be followed by questions from the floor from the general public.

“We’ve outlined a number of areas that we expect each speaker to cover. These include their party’s positions on the timing of the City Rail Link, and how transport projects across the different modes should be prioritised and funded in Auckland.”

TransportBlog contributor Patrick Reynolds will also be on hand to talk about the Congestion Free Network, a public transport initiative that focusses on moving people effectively around Auckland at peak times.

In addition to Maggie Barry, the full lineup of speakers now includes Phil Twyford (Labour), Julie Anne Genter (Greens), Denis O’Rourke (NZ First), David Seymour (ACT) and Damian Light who will be representing UnitedFuture.

The meeting, which starts at 7:30pm, is open to the public and will be held at the Ellen Melville Hall, which is located on O’Connell St in central Auckland.

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Auckland’s Transport Election Debate
Pioneer Women’s and Ellen Melville Hall, Freyberg Square, Auckland Central.
Wednesday 27th August, 7:30pm sharp. Building access from 6:00pm.

Confirmed speakers:

National – Maggie Barry
Labour – Phil Twyford
Greens – Julie Anne Genter
NZ First – Denis O’Rourke
ACT – David Seymour
UnitedFuture – Damian Light

The Campaign for Better Transport is a politically independent voluntary incorporated society, promoting better transport alternatives for Auckland.

The Campaign for Better Transport, in association with TransportBlog and Generation Zero, is counting down to Auckland’s Transport Election Debate, on the 27th August.

The meeting will be a chance for the public to find out from each party in the coming general election what they are promising to do for Auckland’s transport problems and options.

“We are hoping for some solid transport policy for Auckland from each of the parties attending,” said Cameron Pitches, Convenor of the Campaign for Better Transport.

Each speaker has been allocated ten minutes to speak, to be followed by questions from the floor from the general public.

“We’ve outlined a number of areas that we expect each speaker to cover. These include their party’s positions on the timing of the City Rail Link, and how transport projects across the different modes should be prioritised and funded in Auckland.”

TransportBlog contributor Patrick Reynolds will also be on hand to talk about the Congestion Free Network, a public transport focussed initiative that focusses on moving people effectively around Auckland at peak times.

Sudhvir Singh, a medical doctor and a leader of Generation Zero, is looking forward to the event.

“Young people are demanding that we learn from past mistakes when it comes to transport funding. A liveable low-carbon city is entirely possible if we are smarter about transport and give people choices,” said Dr Singh.

Representatives from Labour, the Greens, NZ First and ACT will be attending. National’s transport spokesperson and current Minister of Transport Gerry Brownlee is unable to attend due to prior diary commitments. Organisers are hopeful that National will be able to put forward an alternative spokesperson.

“Nationwide, more than $2.5bn is collected in fuel and road taxes every year, and these taxes are increasing year on year. The public needs assurance that the Government after the 20th September will be spending our tax dollars on the right projects,” concludes Mr Pitches.

[ends]

Auckland’s Transport Election Debate
Pioneer Women’s and Ellen Melville Hall, Freyberg Square, Auckland Central.
Wednesday 27th August, 7:30pm sharp. Building access from 6:00pm.

Confirmed speakers:

Labour – Phil Twyford
Greens – Julie Anne Genter
NZ First – Denis O’Rourke
ACT – David Seymour

Help spread the word about our election debate and download the flyer here.

The Campaign for Better Transport has invited political parties to share their policies for improving transport in Auckland:

• Pioneer Women’s and Ellen Melville Hall, Freyberg Square, Auckland Central
• Wednesday 27th August, 7:30pm, building access from 7:00pm.

The following parties have confirmed their attendance:

• Labour – Phil Twyford
• Greens – Julie Anne Genter
• Act – David Seymour
• NZ First – Denis O’Rourke

A response to our invitation is yet to be received from the National Party.

Each speaker will be given ten minutes, followed by questions from the floor.  Speakers will be expected to state their position on :

• Transport funding for Auckland transport projects, including public transport, cycling and walking
• The City Rail Link
• The Puhoi - Warkworth Toll Road and other Roads of National Significance
• An additional Waitemata Harbour crossing
• The Congestion Free Network

Further information to follow.