Wed, 18 Aug 2004

Christchurch mayoral candidate slams councillor pay rise.

Mayoral candidate Sam Kingi for the Anti-Capitalist Alliance, says that because councillors could "receive up to $100,000 a year is an outrage"

"How are these people sitting in the council chambers going to relate to the majority of Christchurch's population? The answer is they can't. All this pay rise will do is attract self-driven career politicians and people who have the same interests as the rich" stated Sam Kingi.

"The average income in this city is less than a quarter of this proposed lush pay packet, if the councillor's and mayor's pay were tied to the average wage or something similar, then they will have an interest in fighting to raise everyone's wages and standard of living" said Sam.

Sam Kingi added "Thousands of people have been dumped off hospital waiting-lists, the fact that charity is needed to be used in this city is cause for concern, people are paid low wages and have bad conditions, jobs are being sent overseas to increase profit for bosses, permits are needed to have an organised march, insufficient housing; the list is endless. Things need to change drastically, it will take more than elections to change things, it is likely to require a revolution."

The Anti-Capitalist Alliance is also standing Chris Rigby in the Shirley-Papanui ward, he is also a senior union delegate in one of Christchurch's largest factories. Chris and Sam's nomination forms will be handed in today.

ENDS

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