Get Your House In Order Maharey

ACT New Zealand Associate Finance Spokesman Deborah Coddington today accused Housing Minister Steve Maharey of failing taxpayers, in light of information showing that Housing NZ spent more than $30 million repairing tenant-damaged state houses, and only recovered a third of that sum.

"Answers to my written Parliamentary Questions have revealed that from 1999-2002, Housing NZ spent $30,435,750 repairing state houses damaged by tenants - yet has only recovered $10,445,258 from the vandals responsible," Miss Coddington said.

"This raises serious questions about where Mr Maharey's priorities lie. Today, he waxed lyrical about how the Government `is working with property developers to build and lease housing,' as well as building more houses'. Taxpayers' will be aghast to discover that the Government is planning to expand its housing stock while a damage bill of $20,000,000 remains outstanding.

"This is a disgrace of epic proportions. It's time he got his own house in order. If it was Mr Maharey's own house being let and just $10,000 of his money had been recovered, I'm damn sure he wouldn't be buying a new house. But when its other people money he's not so prudent.

"I am calling on Mr Maharey to halt any further state housing developments, until all debts are settled. Taxpayers' deserve that much at least," Miss Coddington said.

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