MEDIA RELEASE
8 August 2004

Manurewa MP Will Present Manukau’s Local Bills To Parliament

MP for Manurewa, George Hawkins, officially received two Local Bills for prostitution and graffiti law reform from Manukau Councillors Burnside and Quax last week at Manukau City Council. He will present the bills to Parliament later this year when the new Government reconvenes.

“I have always wanted to present a Local Bill to Parliament”, said the Minister, a strong advocate for both bills, “And I get to present two!”

“Manukau City Council has always worked hard to improve conditions for Manukau’s diverse communities. I know Council officials led by Sir Barry Curtis, Mayor of Manukau have been advocating strongly over a long period of time to bring these community issues to the notice of Ministers of the Crown and have been working on these Bills to create a more pleasant living environment.

“A Quality of Life in New Zealand’s Eight Largest Cities 2003 Survey revealed Manukau City ranks the lowest in residents’ rating of a sense of pride in the way their city looks, and one of the main reasons for this is related to the graffiti and prostitution problems in the city.

“The Prostitution Law Reform bill and the Graffiti Law Reform Bill aim to address these issues and clean up the environment. These two Bills have my full support”

“I am honoured to be taking these Bills to Parliament and myself and my fellow Manukau MPs will be lobbying hard to see their successful passage through the House.”

"Residents have been publicly notified and copies of the Bill can be viewed from local libraries; the Citizens and Customers Centre, Kotuku House; and Council's website, www.manukau.govt.nz. Residents will have a chance to have their say if Parliament refers the Bill to a select Committee for consideration.

ENDS

Cr Dick Quax (left) and Cr Noel Burnside (right) present the prostitution and graffiti law reform bills to the Hon George Hawkins, MP for Manurewa last Friday at Manukau City Council.

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