Suppression of debate on pay rates at Rotorua Council is outrageous

31 AUGUST 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick's decision to block discussion of Councillors' pay in yesterday's council meeting is outrageous, says the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union.

“The Remuneration Authority's Decision to hike councillors' pay, announced this month, is of serious interest to Rotorua ratepayers,” says Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams.

“If our elected representatives are not allowed to even discuss decisions on how our money used, how can we expect accountability? If the Remuneration Authority announced a pay rise of 100 percent, instead of three percent, would ratepayers still be helpless to object?”

“The Mayor's excuse for blocking discussion – that the Council has no responsibility for Remuneration Authority decisions – is laughable. You can be certain that, had the Authority announced a cut to council pay rates, it would be the first item on the meeting’s agenda!”

“We say that if MPs can reject a pay freeze to reflect pressure on nurses and teachers, councillors can do the same for the poor old ratepayer.”

On Monday, the Taxpayers' Union wrote to councillors across the country challenging them to reject the latest pay increase, and freeze pay until pressure is taken off ratepayers. So far, the Mayors of Whangarei and Christchurch have both committed to taking action on the issue of council pay.

“In Rotorua, the Mayor must need the money. Vetoing debate is a new low.”

ENDS

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