Justin Lester's Gloating Extraordinary And Unjustified

MONDAY, 27 MARCH 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Taxpayers’ Union staff had to check it wasn’t April-fool’s day when they received Wellington Mayor Justin Lester’s media release about rate hikes in wellington of “just” 3.3% this afternoon. Reacting to Mr Lester’s media statement, the Executive Director of the Taxpayer’s Union, Jordan Williams, says:

“Justin Lester describes a rate hike two and a half times the rate of inflation as the Council 'digging deep' for savings. It’s a slap in the face to Wellington ratepayers, especially those on fixed incomes.”

“We were particularly surprised that the Mayor has pointed to 'improved procurement processes' as an area where the Council has found savings. That is extraordinary, coming from the leader of a Council which didn’t even bother to tender the film museum, which is already costing more than expected before even a single sod has been turned.”

“Wellington City Council is one of the most wasteful councils in New Zealand. Champing a 3.3% rate hike by saying ‘at least it’s not 5.1%’ is a sneaky ‘bait and switch' that will fool no one."

ENDS

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