Labour could proceed with light rail if wished to

Stuff reports:

Green Party co-leader James Shaw says NZ First are breaching their coalition agreement with Labour by axing Auckland light rail.

In some of his harshest ever words against the party, Shaw said NZ First’s killing off of Auckland light rail this term was a “slap in the face of Aucklanders” and breached the coaliton agreement between Labour and NZ First.

Transport Minister Phil Twyford admitted on Wednesday that neither of the Government’s proposed light rail plans for Auckland could progress because NZ First were against both of them.

It is convenient for them to blame NZ First, but the reality is they could proceed if they wished to.

NZ First only get four votes in Cabinet. Cabinet could vote 16-4 to proceed. The Coalition Agreement doesn’t give NZ First a veto on Cabinet decisions.

As far as I know, no special legislation is needed, so there is no vote in the House.