On the news of Ray Chung’s commitment to freeze rates for the next three years following this year’s painful 18.5 percent rates hike, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Rhys Hurley said:

“Ray Chung is putting a stake in the ground and saying the Council should live within its means. Ratepayers aren’t an ATM, and Wellington’s had enough of being shaken down to fund consultants and vanity projects.”

“The pipes are leaking, roads are crumbling, and yet somehow Council always finds money for another photo op. It’s time to get back to basics and we commend Mr Chung for putting ratepayers first.”

“Anyone who says you can’t freeze rates just isn’t willing to do the hard yards on savings. The waste is obvious — it just takes guts to say no.”

"All candidates need to come up with detailed savings plans that ratepayers can hold them to."
 

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