2 July 2004

Local Government Reform Bill Passable

New Zealand First was pleased to support the passage of the Local Government Law Reform Bill No 3, however there are still significant shortcomings that will inevitably have repercussions later on.

“Particularly pleasing to New Zealand First was the funding and legislative help given to the Chatham Islands, enabling their council to fulfill statutory responsibilities,” said local government spokesman Jim Peters.

“The New Zealand Government’s contribution to the Chatham Islands is very small compared to the millions of dollars taken away from the Chatham Islands by fishing interests, decade after decade.

“However, most surprising about the bill was the extreme reluctance to accept the need for a casting vote provision for Mayors and regional chairpersons. Finally the provision was accepted.

“Also surprising was the inability to accept the submission made by the Marlborough District Council amending the Local Government Rating Act 2002, clarifying the ability for a council to fund localised projects by lump sum contributions.

“New Zealand First intends to pursue the ability of Marlborough and other local authorities to be able to establish lump sum regimes by the preparation of a Private Member’s Bill.

“New Zealand First still believes that there is an anomaly in regard to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act and the ability of councils to deal with all urgent matters,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>