The Nats are all over the place at the moment. Govt rushed $1b infrastructure fund, Labour claims –
The Government’s flagship $1 billion housing infrastructure fund was devised in just a month, according to official statements given to the Labour Party by ministers.
The policy was unveiled at the National Party’s annual conference in July.
There was no consultation with councils regarding how much money they needed, and they only found out about the initiative two days before it was made public.
It didn’t pass through a Cabinet committee before being signed off by Cabinet, which happened just five days before the conference. …
Didn’t even consult with councils? Right. Looks like they didn’t even consult with each other – Ministers seem at odds over infrastructure fund
Housing Minister Nick Smith and Finance Minister Bill English don’t seem to agree on whether the fund should only be for new housing developments and subdivisions – dubbed “greenfield areas” – or if it can be used in existing urban areas – dubbed “brownfields”.
Both ministers were sent a written parliamentary question from the Green Party asking: “Will loans from the new Housing Infrastructure Fund only be able to be used to fund infrastructure in new “greenfield” areas?”
Mr Smith replied: “Yes.”
Mr English replied: “No. It will be possible for the fund to be used to build infrastructure in existing urban areas provided councils can show that significant amounts of new housing will result from that investment and the other criteria are met.”
Making it up as they go along.
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