Local Government Minister must do better

Local Government Minister Chris Carter will have to do better if he wants to gain ratepayers’ confidence, says Business NZ.

Chief Executive Simon Carlaw says the Minister is in denial mode without regard for those who will pay the bills created by local government.

“Even if the Minister and other local government apologists are to be believed and the Local Government Bill is no more than a tidy-up, rates increases continuing at twice the rate of inflation remains a completely unacceptable outcome.

“There is not a business in the country that could count on imposing cost increases of this order.

“Local government is a large and expensive layer of government that has few effective checks and balances. The Local Government Bill will encourage its growth and reduce its efficiency incentives, and every New Zealander will face the cost,” Mr Carlaw said.

© Scoop Media