National slams govt's fuel tax rule as 'sneaky'

The National Party says it is simply not on that the government's regional fuel tax legislation includes a provision for the tax rate to be increased at any time. Under the proposed law the regional fuel tax can only be charged in Auckland, but from 2021 councils in other areas can put in place their own fuel tax. The tax is capped in the legislation at 10c/l but the bill also allows for that rate to be increased by order in council, which means it does not need to be voted on by Parliament. National says the move is sneaky, but Transport Minister Phil Twyford told RNZ deputy political editor Chris Bramwell the government has no plans to allow taxes of more than 10c/l. He did say, however, that future governments might.