APEC Funding Announced
THE OFFICE OF HON MURRAY MCCULLY MP
MINISTER OF SPORT,
FITNESS AND LEISURE
PRESS RELEASE
MONDAY 28 JUNE 1999
The Auckland
region is to receive over $1.9 million (including gst)
from the
Government as a contribution towards the
extra costs of hosting the
APEC
conference.
Announcing the decision today after
the launch of the Auckland City Millennium
Events
programme, Millennium Minister Murray McCully and Auckland
Mayor Chris
Fletcher said the contribution was the
result of extensive discussions between
the Prime
Minister, Government officials, and the Mayor of Auckland
and her
officials.
Auckland City is to receive
$1,793,000 and Manukau City $113,000, which
will
contribute towards the cost of improvements to the
Domain where the APEC Leaders
retreat will be held,
additional cleaning and graffiti removal,
beautification
of the central business area, flags,
banners, media hosting and additional
council staff
costs.
Mr McCully said the Government recognised
that there were some specific
additional costs
associated with hosting APEC.
"Thorough discussions and
consultation have enabled us to identify those
costs
which could not fairly lie with Auckland
ratepayers. The Cabinet has agreed
this morning to make
these specific contributions to APEC costs, in addition
to
the services being purchased in Auckland by the APEC
taskforce.
"During the APEC conference, Auckland will
provide our window to the world.
While Government has
substantial funding for the APEC taskforce, it is
important
that we take the additional steps which will
leave our visitors with the most
positive impression of
our country and our largest
city".
ENDS