Tuesday, August 31st, 2004

Leading mayoral candidate's policies unknown

Dick Hubbard's positive public profile is the reason he's leading the race to be Auckland's mayor, but no one really knows what Dick Hubbard's policies are, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says.

"There are many questions we need Dick to answer, but so far he has really only told us he will listen," said Alasdair Thompson, EMA's chief executive.

"For instance, business wants to know what Dick Hubbard thinks are the top three infrastructure priorities for Auckland.

"Does he support user pays for rubbish, water, sewerage?

"Should Auckland apply any Uniform Annual General Charges considering that some services are roughly of equal value to all ratepayers?

"Does he think commercial ratepayers should subsidise residential ratepayers?

"Business has many questions like these to which we would dearly like to hear the answers. We invited him last week to discuss these and many other matters.

After all, we already know what the other two leading contenders think - now we need to hear much more from Dick Hubbard."

"So far he has not said nearly enough to satisfy thinking voters."

ENDS

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