KEY POINTS:
National's transport spokesman Maurice Williamson appears to have been told to keep his mouth shut when it comes to toll roads.
Mr Williamson has twice been in trouble for suggesting National would set high tolls on some roads - in August he said $5, and on Monday it was $3 for "very long-haul roads".
On both occasions the Government said drivers paying weekly tolls at those levels would see their tax cuts wiped out.
National leader John Key described Mr Williamson's August comments as "excitable" and said tolls of around $2 were more likely.
Yesterday he seemed to have had enough, and when he was asked why Mr Williamson kept on talking about tolls, he replied: "I doubt that he will in the future."
Mr Key said he had spoken to Mr Williamson about tolls, but not at great length.
"He understands how I feel," Mr Key said in Hamilton.
"In terms of tolling, I have made it quite clear what I think is appropriate, and that means tolls have to be affordable.
"They have to provide real value for money, there has to be an alternative free route."
Mr Key said he would not endorse any tolling proposals that did not meet those principles.
- NZPA
