John Carter MP National Party Local Government Spokesman

22 August 2006

National & Greens lock down rates inquiry

"National and the Greens have tonight agreed on the draft terms of reference for a wide ranging review of rates to be conducted by the Local Government select committee," says National Party Local Government spokesman John Carter.

"Even without New Zealand First's support for Rodney Hide's rates capping bill, we now have the numbers to force a desperately needed inquiry into what's going wrong with our rating system.

"This is a significant victory for the ratepayers of New Zealand and I wish to thank the Green Party for their support and co-operation as we seek public feedback on the crippling rates rises throughout New Zealand."

The Local Government Select Committee has nine members, four from Labour, four from National and one from the Greens.

"In light of the Prime Minister's statements today, we expect that when the item comes up on the agenda under my name on Thursday, the vote will be unanimous."

National has identified at least 67 Labour law changes which have loaded costs onto ratepayers.

"That bureaucratic buck-passing is one of the main issues that the inquiry will consider," says Mr Carter.

ENDS

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