Goff abandons his previous big promises on Super City

Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer has dug out Labour’s 2011 General Election manifesto when Phil Goff was Labour Party leader which shows the mayoral candidate has clearly walked away from his promises five years ago to significantly change the Super City.

“When he was Opposition leader he talked a really big game on what he and the Labour Party were going to change in the Super City. Now five years on, he has completely abandoned all his past promises of structural reform and stronger democracy.

“As Labour leader he promised to ‘fix the Super City’s democracy’, power up the local boards, dump the Independent Maori Statutory Board and replace them with elected Maori seats, and get rid of the current Auckland Transport CCO described by Labour back then as a ‘corporatised transport agency’. Goff was also going to set up a ‘Common Accountability Platform for Auckland’ to ensure better alignment of central and local government priorities.

“He’s now not prepared to push for any reforms to the democratic structure of Auckland Council. He’s not campaigning on powering up the local boards, nor is he pushing to ditch the IMSB which is set to stay if he gets his way.

“While he talked tough in 2011 on what needed to change in the Super City, Goff is now set to run a ‘more of the same’ campaign.

“Real change is not going to happen under Goff. Local boards will remain second fiddle, the IMSB will stay and continue to cost ratepayers $3m per annum, the Auckland Transport monster model will roll on without challenge, and as for Wellington and Auckland’s relationship it’s status quo.

“As Prime Minister, Goff would’ve changed some significant structural things with the Super City. But as Mayor it’s clear he’s not going to push for any significant reform or promote common accountability with central government. So what’s changed and why has he changed?

“This will be a real red light for many ratepayers who don’t just want a replacement Labour Mayor, they actually want significant change in the running of Auckland.

“In a Super City policy sense the 2016 Phil Goff has completely run away from the tough taking 2011 Phil Goff, and voters need to realise that,” says Mr Brewer.

ENDS