Road delays show political parties cannot keep marking their own homework

Responding to reports that the Government’s Roads of National Significance programme has been put in the “slow lane” after costing taxpayers $323 million, the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union says voters need independent scrutiny of election promises.

Taxpayers’ Union spokeswoman, Ella Dickson, said:

“Spending $323 million before shovels have touched the ground and only for progress to stall, shows exactly why New Zealand needs an Independent Fiscal Institution. Major spending promises need independent scrutiny before taxpayers are committed.”

“The Greens’ $800 million tax-policy typo and Labour’s disagreement with Treasury over its pay-equity costings only reinforce the point: political parties cannot keep marking their own homework.”

“The Government must establish an Independent Fiscal Institution before the election so taxpayers can separate credible promises from political wishful thinking.”