'A government that’s in panic' - Judith Collins calls for Government to drop Regional Fuel Tax

Judith Collins says the Government is in a panic about the fuel price crisis and has called for them to cut the regional fuel tax.

Yesterday, the Government announced it was prioritising the passing of the Commerce Amendment Bill when the House resumes next week with Jacinda Ardern saying she’s "hugely concerned" at the prices consumers are currently paying at the pump.

On TVNZ1's Breakfast today, Ms Collins said the Government's plans didn't go far enough.

"If the Government wants to do something right now, it could cut that tax, say we're not going to have that regional fuel tax, 11.5 cents a litre in Auckland plus everything else that’s going on," she said.

"Right now, with the fuel prices so high and the Government saying it's all so terrible, they've just worked that out, at 11.5 cents a litre in Auckland alone plus everything else round the country, right now is the time for the Government to say we’re going to put that on hold while we sort it out."

Mrs Collins said for every litre of petrol sold, $1.25 went to the Government and 31 cents went to the fuel companies.

"The dollar has dropped, oil prices internationally have gone up, every time that happens, the Government's tax take goes up because it's basically a percentage of the fuel."

"In my electorate Papakura for instance, people have to travel around, don’t have much choice at all and they’re the people paying for it."