April 21, 2015
A bridge to nowhere
A bridge to nowhere
22 April 2015
Simon Bridges is far from simple. But the Tauranga MP may be stupid in what appears to be a timing error during the Northland by-election. The opposition parties are now driving this and making serious inroads into the Transport Minister and Government.
As a Minister of the Crown – especially a Cabinet Minister – you are privy to sensitive and highly confidential information. The PM and company are briefed on most major incidents, whether it be high profile crime or an upcoming event. But the good news story for the North released by Bridges in regards to the upgrade of 10 single-lane bridges in Northland, may have been mistimed and really just a ploy to boost the support of the Nats campaign in the North.
Here’s how the timing went.
On and before March 6 of this year, Bridges’ office was given the information about the upgrades, including the $69 million cost, as part of a wider briefing.
That information was made public by Bridges on March 9 – during the last month of the election.
He announced the Government would upgrade the 10 single-lane bridges in the Northland region. Those upgrades would cost $69 million and be phased over a six year period.
Doesn’t appear to be anything sinister, but Labour claims Bridges breached section 6.60 of the Cabinet Manual by asking the New Zealand Transport Agency for advice on Northland bridges in the lead-up to the by-election and then releasing it during the campaign to boost ratings.
And where there’s smoke there’s fire.
As we now know, it made little difference to the result because the Northland by-election was won easily by New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters on March 28. Bridges claims there was nothing untoward is his request of the NZTA or the timing of him releasing the information.
And while Bridges boss, Prime Minister John Key agrees, you are still left with a bitter aftertaste. Simple Simon has some bridges to mend. In saying that, it’s not been the best of times for the Key or the National Party.
The true-blue Northland seat, a stronghold for the Nats in the past went to the wily old fox Winston Peters. What the result also signalled for the Government is you have to keep your promises, some of which have already been twisted and broken.
The so-called surplus the National Government have been bragging about for the past nine years in nowhere to be seen and while Key may dish up the stable economy, show me the money.
If this has been a rock star economy, then where are the spoils to show it? Bridges slip may have been unintentional but it has given the opposition a few more lines on the front pages.
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