There was a snippet in a national newspaper in March saying that the original estimated cost of entering the tunnel of $23 million has now doubled to $47 million with a further $4 million set aside as a contingency. The Labour / NZ First Cabinet had approved that.

Most people knew this was a waste of money and effort, bearing in mind there was no intention to go in as far as where the bodies of the 29 are believed to be located.

I can understand the cost being high. It is probable the contract has heavy personal liability on those people in charge, so in the event that there is further injury or death, the Government can blame the operator.

I hope that voters remember later this year that this is typical of the Labour/NZ First coalition wasting taxpayer's money.

Watch now how much money will be similarly wasted, hidden under the guise of Covid 19 recovery.

Bill Capamagian, The Avenues