MEDIA RELEASE

Legal Action Against WCC Likely

FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Taxpayers’ Union is joining other organisations in considering legal action against Wellington City Council in relation to its potentially illegal use of ratepayer money.

Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, says:

“Like others, our initial legal advice is that the Council is highly likely in breach of the Local Government Act which requires Council to provide services in the most efficient manner. If the property and business groups decide against seeking judicial review of the Council theTaxpayers’ Union will almost certainly file an application for review itself.”

“While we have had an offer from a lawyer to take the case on pro bono our main hesitation is the Council may throw good money after bad in paying lawyers to defend the decision. But that might be a necessary evil for councils around the country to be reminded that they are stewards of ratepayers' money.”

"Choosing to pay someone more than is necessary for him or her to do the job does not alleviate poverty when the people paying for it include those struggling on the minimum wage. Wellington City Councillors are choosing to implement this costly measure for reasons that amount to mere virtue signalling."

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