MEDIA RELEASE

STENCH OF PORK BARREL POLITICS IN ROTORUA

8 AUGUST 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Responding to the Associate Minister of Tourism, Todd McClay’s comments on the opening of the Rotorua Mountain Bike Gravity Park, which received $225,000 of taxpayers’ money to develop, Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says:

“This is corporate welfare and pork-barrel politics in one. The local MP has thrown taxpayer money at a sexy venture in the name of economic development. Some could perceive this as a cynical attempt to sure up support in the Rotorua electorate.”

“Todd McClay is also Minister of Revenue and responsible for our tax system. He should be a steward of taxpayer money, not doling out nearly a quarter of a million dollars to a private firm that will reap the rewards."

"Visitors to Rotorua this election season may notice a distinct whiff of pork barrel politics.”

Though Mr McClay won his seat comfortably at the last election, he faces stiff competition this year from former TVNZ weatherman Tamati Coffey.

ENDS

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