MEDIA RELEASE

Aucklanders Aren't That Stupid

23 JANUARY 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The website launched this morning by Auckland Council to get public feedback on the Council's ten year budget is a PR attempt to justify higher rates and new charges, rather than a genuine consultative process, according to the Taxpayers' Union. Its Executive Director, Jordan Williams says:

"While every Aucklander wants to know how much their residential rates will increase by, amazingly it's the one thing the Council's press release doesn't even mention. The consultation website tries to downplay the 3.5% annual rates increases over the next ten years and promotes all the new ways Auckland Council wants to tax."

"Take motorway tolls for example. We'd support congestion charging if other taxes were reduced. Instead, Auckland Council just want them to milk motorists on existing roads.

"It looks like Auckland Mayor, Len Brown, has told officials that he wants to keep rates low. Instead of trimming the fat, the Council's just looking for new taxes to fill the gap. Aucklanders will see through it"

"Every week we receive examples of Auckland Council wasting money or expanding its role into new areas traditionally performed by central government.”

“The Super City was supposed to result in efficiency. Well where is it?"

ENDS

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