Ahoy there – the ferry tale becomes more fascinating as Peters takes command of new portfolio
One new portfolio has been added to the list of ministers and their responsibilities on the government’s official website: Rail.
The job has gone to railways champion Winston Peters, perhaps to compensate for the pending loss of the greyhound racing component of his Racing workload.
Click to view
Point of Order has not checked with the TAB to ascertain whether it is taking bets on the time it takes for Peters to announce exactly how much it will cost to replace KiwiRail’s ageing fleet of three Interislander ferries and with what.
But one year after Cabinet decided to scuttle KiwiRail’s iRex plan to build two new rail-enabled mega-ferries, we do know the Government is establishing a new company to procure two new ferries.
These are expected to begin operation in 2029 as the existing ferries reach the end of their operating lives.
The private sector is being invited to put forward alternative proposals for a ferry service during the first stage of the procurement process.
We also know that Peters has quickly used the ferry issue to launch a verbal assault on the coalition partner who will succeed him as Deputy Prime Minister next year as part of the coalition deal.
RNZ reports:
The new Minister of Rail Winston Peters has poured scorn on ACT leader David Seymour’s hopes of privatising the Cook Strait ferry service, and says Seymour was “wrong” about the cost of the new project.
While Peters has been typically combative in impressing on us the nature of his new responsibilities, his colleagues have been making much of the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced food and fibre exports are forecast to hit $56.9 billion by 30 June 2025 and climb to a record $58.3 billion the following year.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones noted that New Zealand’s seafood exports are set to hit a record $2.2 billion in the year to June 2025, and increase to $2.4b the following year
Click to view
Point of Order has not checked with the TAB to ascertain whether it is taking bets on the time it takes for Peters to announce exactly how much it will cost to replace KiwiRail’s ageing fleet of three Interislander ferries and with what.
But one year after Cabinet decided to scuttle KiwiRail’s iRex plan to build two new rail-enabled mega-ferries, we do know the Government is establishing a new company to procure two new ferries.
These are expected to begin operation in 2029 as the existing ferries reach the end of their operating lives.
The private sector is being invited to put forward alternative proposals for a ferry service during the first stage of the procurement process.
We also know that Peters has quickly used the ferry issue to launch a verbal assault on the coalition partner who will succeed him as Deputy Prime Minister next year as part of the coalition deal.
RNZ reports:
The new Minister of Rail Winston Peters has poured scorn on ACT leader David Seymour’s hopes of privatising the Cook Strait ferry service, and says Seymour was “wrong” about the cost of the new project.
While Peters has been typically combative in impressing on us the nature of his new responsibilities, his colleagues have been making much of the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced food and fibre exports are forecast to hit $56.9 billion by 30 June 2025 and climb to a record $58.3 billion the following year.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones noted that New Zealand’s seafood exports are set to hit a record $2.2 billion in the year to June 2025, and increase to $2.4b the following year
Latest from the Beehive
12 December 2024
New Zealand’s seafood exports are set to hit a record $2.2 billion in the year to June 2025, and increase to $2.4b the following year, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.
New Zealand’s food and fibre exports are forecast to hit $56.9 billion by 30 June 2025 and climb to a record $58.3 billion the following year, showcasing the strength and resilience of the sector.
11 December 2024
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa will visit New Zealand this week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.
The Government is establishing a new company to procure two new ferries to ensure a safe, reliable and commercially viable ferry service, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
On RNZ this morning, the newly appointed Rail Minister, Winston Peters, took issue with David Seymour’s saying indicative costings were “approximately half the at least $3 billion cost” of Labour’s proposal.
He shared that information despite Minister of Finance Nicola Willis’ caution about disclosing costs.
Asked on Morning Report if the government had a sum in mind, Peters said it would be “stupid” and “imprudent” to name the price.
“I said [on Wednesday] it would be most imprudent, politically and business-wise, stupid, to start saying what you’re going to buy them for, because that’s the bottom line. They’ll start from there and up it will go.”
He rejected Seymour’s statement the new deal would cost a “fraction of the price” of the iRex project, and that private investment remained on the table.
“You’re talking to the minister in charge now, not the one that’s not in charge.”
Pressed by Hipkiss on whether Seymour’s $2.2bn sum was incorrect, he said, “Of course he’s wrong on it.
“He’s wrong on the figures that he’s used, he’s wrong on the question of privatisation and he’s wrong on the question of what it’s going to cost.”
We look forward to hearing the correct numbers – among other critical details.
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
No comments:
Post a Comment