Press Release | For Immediate Release

Ignoring the voices of Auckland concerns Young Labour

Wednesday, 6 May 2009

The National-led Government’s blatant indifference to the voices of concerned Aucklanders simply solidifies a pattern of behaviour that should be a serious concern for all New Zealanders, says Young Labour.

Young Labour Auckland Representatives Bronwyn Presland and Jason Cox have voiced their concern that the National-led Government is continuing to ignore the voices of the community and rushing their proposed Auckland Super City legislation through Parliament.

“The National-led Government is unashamedly attempting to avoid genuine consultation and engagement with the communities of Auckland. This is a serious abuse of Aucklander’s democratic right to be heard about Auckland’s local government restructuring,” says Presland.

A recently released Reid Research poll shows that 63% of people think there has been insufficient consultation on proposed changes to Auckland’s governance.

“The most serious concern for the residents and communities of Greater Auckland should be that the National-led Government is denying their democratic right to a referendum on the issue. It is insulting that Prime Minister John Key says that the Super City proposal is too complicated to be dealt with in a referendum,” says Cox.

“Young Labour suggests that Mr. Key enquires as to whether the apprehensive community members that met in Papakura, Manukau and Waitakere believe the issue is too complicated that their voices ought to be silenced and their right to participate in the process be denied.”

Young Labour stands firmly by Labour MP Phil Twyford’s concern that the National Party is completely disregarding their manifesto commitments to consult with Aucklanders on the Royal Commission's recommendations.

Young Labour President Patrick Leyland commented, “It is disgraceful that the National-led Government is denying participation of many communities, who under the proposal will inevitably be denied representation on the Super City Council.”

ENDS

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