"With evidence almost on a daily basis of the need for and strong support of the Transmission Gully route the Government cannot afford to vote my Bill down when I introduce it to Parliament on Wednesday.

"To do so will be petty and irresponsible, especially in light of comments just last week from Wellington coroner Garry Evans who said, Transmission Gully needs to be built as soon as possible to reduce the risk of further crashes on State Highway 1, especially between Pukerua Bay and Paekakiriki. If we as responsible politicians ignore the coroner's comments then we do so at our own peril," says Mr Dunne.

He says his Bill is a genuine attempt to move the issue forward and he considers it a good starting point given the ongoing lack of progress on this issue.

"I do not blame the present Government totally for the lack of action and would be pleased to work with them to advance the issue to reality.

"Their support for at least introducing my Bill would go some way to forging a non-partisan solution to the present impasse and more importantly would signal to the people of the Wellington region that local MPs are serious about the issue and prepared to work in the common interest of their region," says Mr Dunne.

Last year Mr Dunne presented the 'Do It Now' petition to Parliament which contained over 24,000 signatures. The Wellington Regional Council has also completed surveys showing strong support form the people of Wellington for the Gully road and a high willingness to pay.

" My Bill is brought into Parliament in good faith. I call on the Government to act in similar good faith and demonstrate their commitment to Transmission Gully," concludes Mr Dunne.

ENDS