Scoop  Politics

Council's disgraceful wage bill shows lack of leadership
5 October 2017

Auckland Council’s failure to adhere to its own wage budget has seen the payroll bill blow out to $853 million in the last financial year and Auckland ratepayers now paying 6% more this year for Council salaries. A staggering 52% of rates are now used by the Council just to pay staff.

Jo Holmes, Spokesperson for the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance, says:

“Phil Goff and the councillors who were elected on a platform of tackling the Council’s wasteful habits look to be failing. They’re all blaming the CEO and ducking for cover instead of leading from the front and cutting wasteful spending.”

“In 2017, the number of staff Auckland Council paid a salary of over $200,000 has increased by 25% to 194 staff. That alone is a disgrace.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

 

Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

Gordon Campbell: On The Fate Of Julian Assange

Has swapping Scott Morrison for Anthony Albanese made any discernible difference to Australia’s relations with the US, China, the Pacific and New Zealand? Not so far. For example: Albanese has asked for more time to “consider” his response to New Zealand’s long running complaints about the so called “501” deportations back to this country. Really? He needs more time to figure out a response? OK, but the clock is ticking.
The Julian Assange situation is a lot more urgent. Assange’s deportation to the United States has now been okayed by the British courts and also - crucially – by its government. At any moment, Assange could be on a plane and headed for a US prison. He is facing the prospect of 175 years in jail...
More>>