Press Release
Stephen Berry
Public Transport

Tram Service Savings to be Commended!

Waitemata & Gulf candidate Stephen Berry has commended the decision by Waterfront Auckland to end funding for the Wynyard Quarter’s two vintage trams which have so far cost Auckland City ratepayers over $8.1 million. “This project was a completely frivolous waste of other people’s money and should never have been approved. The axing of funding for this tram service has come not a moment too soon.”

The tram service has been plagued by poor patronage which has seen it return a loss in excess of $130,000. Stephen Berry says that this is a prime example of why Councils should leave transportation to the private sector as much as possible. “Private sector providers of public transport have the profit motive to ensure they provide public transport solutions where there is an actual demand for it. Public sector providers can spend other people’s money on whatever foolhardy projects they wish without financial consequence to the individuals in charge. It’s not hard to see who has the right incentives to provide real public transport solutions.”

“Interestingly, one of the biggest supporters of this ludicrous operation has been my opponent in Waitemata & Gulf, Mike Lee. Despite patronage figures 80% below forecast, six-figure losses and demands for further subsidies by Waterfront Auckland, Mr. Lee deludes himself into believing that this is still a worthwhile enterprise. In fact, he has been instrumental in allocating another $8.2 million of funding to this ridiculous white elephant!”

“In this year’s local body elections, voters need to exploit their opportunity to eject the current mob of big-spending charlatans from the Council. The Council borrows at a rate of $2.5 million a day and yet representatives such as Mike Lee continue to think it is sustainable to waste money on lunatic trivialities.”

“If elected in September, I commit to voting only for expenditure that is legally required under legislation imposed by central government. Mike Lee’s carnival toy train set would never make the cut.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Arguably Reassuring: Inspector-General Finds GCSB "Arguably" Legal

Of the 88 individuals:

• 15 cases involving 22 individuals did not have any information intercepted by GCSB.

• another four cases involving five individuals were the subjects of a New Zealand Security Intelligence Service warrant and the GCSB assisted in the execution of the warrants. The Inspector-General is of the view that there were arguably no breaches and the law is unclear.

• the Bureau only provided technical assistance which did not involve interception of communications, involving three of the individuals, so no breach occurred.

• the remaining cases involved the collection of metadata, and the Inspector-General formed the view that there had arguably been no breach, noting once again that the law is unclear.
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