Local Government virtue signalling shows warped priorities

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for councils across New Zealand to ‘stick to their knitting’ and stop wasting money on public smoking bans and other unenforceable measures designed solely for political, rather than practical, purposes.

“Listening to Auckland Councillor Penny Hulse on Radio NZ this morning, was illustrative of how the local government sector has lost its way. While council rates across the country blow out, increasing many times the level of inflation, councillors are fighting about passing bylaws that are totally unenforceable.”

“Penny Hulse tries to reassure the public that Auckland Council will not allow for 'smoking police’ to be introduced. Instead, the Council spends hundreds of thousands of dollars for pointless posturing. It’s pathetic and blows smoke directly into the face of financially struggling ratepayers.”

“This debate, along with recent efforts by councils to introduce compulsory cat registration and fees, again shows the sector's lack of direction. Most ratepayers just want reasonable rates and sensible spending. It’s time that was the focus.”

ENDS

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