Time to question democracy in Auckland

The Living Wage Movement is gathering in Aotea Square at 12 noon on Thursday 24 March, prior to presenting their submission on the Auckland Annual Budget to councillors at 12.30pm.

The Auckland Council submission processes are coming under question, after the Living Wage Movement made over 300 submissions to the Long Term Plan without any visibility as to where these submissions have been considered by Council.

“Are the voices forgotten; the people irrelevant; the submissions statistically insignificant?” said National Convenor of Living Wage Movement Aotearoa NZ, Annie Newman today.

With submissions made through community events and electronically, from both community groups and individuals, the Living Wage movement is asking whether it was true that “Your opinion matters” or “The views of all Aucklanders are important to us” as stated on Auckland Council’s website.

“The lost voices of Aucklanders on the matter of the Living Wage challenges the integrity of the statement that “genuine dialogue” is “important”. This leads this Living Wage movement to question the value of participating in the democratic process that is intended to define local government,” said Annie Newman.

The Auckland Plan says Auckland’s vision is to be “the world’s most liveable city.” This means focusing on people, reducing inequality, dramatically accelerating the prospects for children and young people, and substantially raising living standards for all Aucklanders. Poverty in Auckland is, in part, a result of low incomes.

The payment of a Living Wage to Auckland Council employees and contracted workers would increase incomes for families, make housing more affordable, and mean that families would be less likely to accrue debt.

ENDS

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