Auckland regional fuel tax 'within the year'

Published at 6:58am on 4 July 2008 Auckland Regional Council plans to bring in a fuel tax within the year, after legislation enabling the move was passed by Parliament. The Land Transport Management Amendment Bill passed by 70 votes to 51 on Thursday night. The legislation allows regional councils to levy the tax, to help pay for more transport projects. The National Party, ACT and independent MP Gordon Copeland opposed it. Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee says it will asking the government to accept its proposal for a 1c per litre tax. He says it will come into effect on 1 July 2009, and will help provide the region with an electric rail fleet. Mr Lee says with diesel and petrol prices continuing to rise, there is a greater obligation on the council and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority to provide... [read full story]