11 August 2004

Local Democracy Means Local Decisions

New Zealand First is relieved that the Minister of Local Government, the Hon Chris Carter, indicated during today’s question time that he had no wish to interfere with funding decisions made by local councils.

“The Local Government Commission’s recent determinations should be the basis for councils in making decisions about the nature and funding of boards and committees,” said local government spokesperson Jim Peters.

“A huge amount of local government time and resources are spent complying with central government requirements. It is gratifying to know that, for now at least, councils will be saved from further ministerial interference.

“I urge all ratepayers and citizens to use the upcoming local body election process as an opportunity to gain assurances from would-be councillors about appropriate policies and programmes for their council. Prudent use of rateypayer’s funds is paramount.

“Local democracy means local decisions made in consultation with ratepayers and citizens,” 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>>