Ugly Mess Leads To Death Threats

An ``ugly mess’’ around a local council’s rates has led to an MP receiving death threats, Parliament was told on Wednesday night.

National MP Mike Sabin said he was not happy about sponsoring the Kaipara District Council (Validation of Rates and Other Matters) Bill which validated unlawfully set rates.

The bill was necessary though because the council had made numerous mistakes in process and could not collect rates from those who refused to pay.

Sabin said feelings ran high in the area on the issue which included the blow out in costs for a water treatment plant from $11 million to more than $60 million.

Sabin said he had dealt with people that were very angry and he had even had death threats.

Labour said they would support the bill to select committee, but they said those responsible for the mess should be held to account.

MPs from both side of the House talked about the ``ugly mess’’ with some wondering how the Audit Office failed to pick up any warning signs.

The local council had been failing to comply with the law since 2006, MPs were told.

The bill was sent to the Local Government and Environment Committee by 116 to 4 with the Maori Party and Mana opposed

The House rose just before 10pm interrupting the committee stage of the Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Bill.

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