The REGIONAL RATEPAYERS REBELLION

The campaign fighting the Auckland Regional Council's rating policy and rates increases.

MEDIA RELEASE Friday, 10 October 2003

Statement from David Thornton

REBELLION CLARIFIES ITS POSITION ON ARC ELECTIONS

We note that the Auckland City-based Rates Boycott Committee has transmogrified into the Residents Action Movement [RAM] and will be putting up candidates for the ARC elections. We understand that this group is led by Grant Morgan, secretary of the 'Socialist Worker' organisation.

The Regional Ratepayers Rebellion campaign has not yet considered any proposal to stand its own candidates at next year's Auckland Regional Council and local council elections. It will consider this option at a meeting to be held for bona fide ratepayer associations in November. That meeting is to finalise details for the establishment of a regional ratepayers Confederation to continue the rates battle with the ARC - and follows initial approval for such a grouping at a meeting in Glenfield last Saturday

While RAM is also fighting the ARC rates battle, its political associations are narrower in focus than the Rebellion campaign supporters who come from all around the region and from across the whole political spectrum. RAM spokesman Grant Morgan clearly admits on his website that he and his associates;- "represent the radical left wing of the grassroots movement against the ARC's business politicians".

The Rebellion campaign wishes to make it clear that neither the Rates Boycott Committee nor RAM are part of the Rebellion campaign organisation nor the proposed regional ratepayers grouping, and that the Rebellion is not endorsing the whole RAM Manifesto - although parts of it are supportive of our position..

Having made that clear we welcome the support of anyone who joins in the battle to win justice and equity for the ratepayers of the Auckland region in the battle for a fair rating system.

ENDS

Contact, campaign spokesman, DAVID THORNTON [Chairman of the Glenfield Ratepayers] david@Kandu.co.nz

© Scoop Media