Press Release Stephen Berry One Auckland

Berry Supports 'One Auckland'

Auckland Mayoral candidate Stephen Berry today gave his qualified support to a proposal creating one council for the Auckland region.

"I give my backing to any proposal which reduced the bloated monster of local government. Less mayors, less councilors and less bureaucracy means a lower burden on the ever-suffering ratepayer. While we're at it, the functions of the Auckland Regional Council should also be absorbed into this new body"

However, Berry cautions ratepayers against any complacent optimism that may emerge as a result of the 'One Auckland' proposal. "A continuation of this socialist council's agenda guarantees that ratepayers will not see any benefit from decreased costs of governance. One socialist Auckland council will find more than one way to waste any savings which eventuate."

The current proposal also includes provision for a second tier of representation in the form of community boards with increased powers. "The last thing that should be given to the bottom feeding leeches of local politics is increased powers. Parliamentary egos with community board abilities cannot spend your money better than you can. Democracy has no place meddling in the day to day lives of individuals and meddling is all community boards do."

"The only way voters can ensure a true benefit from the amalgamation of the Auckland councils is by voting for a candidate who explicitly supports a regime of lower rates and spending. I am that candidate."

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>