John Carter MP
National Party Local Government Spokesman

25 March 2008

Stop dumping on local government

Labour’s latest bid to make housing more affordable is yet another example of the Government dumping on local government as it tries to cover up its record of failure, says National’s Local Government spokesman, John Carter.

“Councils up and down the country are urging Labour to dump its fundamentally flawed affordable housing bill. They’re warning that it will leave them open to unacceptable risks and legal challenges, and burdened with even more compliance costs.

“It is more passing of the buck from central to local government and it must stop.

“It is also dubious that the legislation will make home ownership more affordable. Councils are actually saying the opposite – that the bill will push up the overall cost of housing, and that councils and ratepayers will end up footing the bill.

“When is Labour going to learn that its absurd obsession with over-regulation is counter-productive and unnecessary. It has already passed 69 pieces of legislation which have resulted in massive cost increases for both councils and ratepayers.

“National won’t treat local government and ratepayers with such disdain. We will slash compliance costs, simplify home building processes, and reform the RMA to ensure home affordability becomes a reality for ordinary Kiwis.”

ENDS

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