Banks demands an end to secrecy

Auckland Mayoral candidate John Banks has demanded an end to the secrecy over the leaky homes crisis facing Auckland City ratepayers.

“On 30 July 2007, I wrote to the Mayor to establish the extent and magnitude of the leaky homes crisis. On Friday I received a reply which was unsatisfactory because important answers were suppressed. This is an old fashioned coverup”, says Mr Banks.

“This act of subterfuge has left Auckland City ratepayers in the dark. It is my understanding that the Mayor is intimidated by the government who are refusing to entertain any liability, and there seems to be no urgency in resolutely addressing these matters.”

“For central government elections, there is a requirement under the Fiscal Responsibility Act that all contingent liabilities are made public in the leadup to an election."

“This appalling level of secrecy over such a huge sum is unconscionable. Auckland ratepayers deserve to know how bad the problem really is," said Mr Banks.

"Far too much of this council’s business has been conducted in confidential meetings, including cost overruns, water price gouging and now leaky homes,” concluded Mr Banks.

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