November 5, 2009
Media Release (For Immediate Release)

Minister’s Comments Confirm Secret Agenda

The Minister of Local Government’s reported comments that 700 people could be axed and $66 million saved by ramming through Auckland’s “Super City” are nothing short of “sinister”, says Waitakere deputy mayor Penny Hulse.

Rodney Hide has been widely reported as making the comments at a business breakfast where he also said the Prime Minister “doesn’t do anything”.

Mrs Hulse says earlier in the week a discussion document circulated to Councils in the region set out a process and timeframe for transitioning staff.

“That talked about minimising job losses as much as possible. Yet within days the Minister is talking about some very definite numbers both in terms of staff and expected savings.”

“Either he is making these things up, or there is a secret agenda that only he is aware of.”

“Sadly it’s probably the latter.”

Mrs Hulse says the Minister’s comments closely mirror those made by Auckland Mayor John Banks several months ago- comments Mr Banks later apologised for.

“Coincidence? I don’t think so,” she says.

“I’ve always suspected an inner cabal with its own agenda is behind the indecent haste and poor planning forcing amalgamation in Auckland. And everything the Minister says and does confirms that.”

“As for the supposed savings of $66 million, well along with every other Aucklander I’d love to know exactly what they are. Because, make no mistake, this Super City will deliver just one thing – Super-sized rates increases for years to come.”

ENDS

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