The days of affordable fuel are coming to an end, and the
Government needs to rein in its spending on roading
infrastructure and target alternative transport, the Green
Party says.
Following another large spike in the price of petrol and
diesel, Greens co-leader Russel Norman said a commitment by
the Government to spend an additional $21 billion on roading
infrastructure after 2012 was irresponsible when only $0.7b
was tagged for alternatives.
It now costs up to $1.83 for a litre of 91 unleaded petrol
and $1.16 for diesel, which is the highest in 18 months and a
level which AA PetrolWatch spokesman Mark Stockdale described
today as an "uncomfortable price point".
Dr Norman said investment in roading, compared to
alternatives such as light rail and bus lanes, was way out of
kilter.
"Such a one-sided investment approach to managing our future
mobility is economic mismanagement. There is no other way to
describe it.
"For the person on the street, this will mean they'll have
next to no alternative options for getting to work when oil
prices become unaffordable for everyday transport. And this
could happen very soon."
Dr Norman said a Shell head had this week said that the days
of cheap oil appeared to be over.
He said the Government appeared to be putting its faith in
the continued development of electric cars.
"But the new cars are expensive, their uptake will be slow,
and they don't solve the problem of congestion or where the
power will come from."
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