Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

New legislation fails to protect Auckland’s assets

Media release
17 September 2009

New legislation fails to protect Auckland’s assets

Manukau Mayor Len Brown says Parliament should have included provision to prevent the sale of council assets in new legislation passed today setting up the new supercity.

“The legislation setting up the new city structure, with power vested in one mayor and one council, fails to include protection for strategic assets such as the airport, the port, and water. This means that if Aucklanders want to protect their assets to provide a platform for growth, they will need to vote for someone with a track record of protecting public assets.

“Generations of Aucklanders have invested in our public ports, airport and water company. They are owned by the community. They provide an asset base upon which we can build the infrastructure needed to turn Auckland into an economic and cultural hub for the South Pacific. They must not be sold.

“We must make sure the new council protects and develops our assets for all Aucklanders.”

Mr Brown welcomed the dumping of the proposal for undemocratic at-large councillors and the retention of the original northern Rodney boundary, however, he believes the government has made a mistake by splitting the Franklin district in half.

“The preferences of the Franklin community have been made clear. It is a long-standing community in its own right. To arbitrarily split Franklin in half is a slap in the face to them.

“The legislation also states that the new council will have to negotiate the roles and functions of the local community boards. It will be important that this work by the new council is undertaken quickly so that the new boards can get up and running and representing their community.

“As an advocate of empowering local democracy I was in favour of these roles being outlined in the legislation, however as mayor I will be work to make sure that local communities have their voices heard.

“With the new Auckland structure now almost set up, we will need to work to bring the new council together.”

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.