Claims That Three Waters Reform Will Save Money Are Laughable
Wednesday, 30 June 2021, 11:26 am
Press Release: New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the removal of local
democratic control over water assets and says that regional
cross subsidisation is a recipe for gold plating and higher
costs.
Reacting to the details of the reforms
announced this morning, Taxpayers’ Union Executive
Director Jordan Williams said:
“The claim this will
save ratepayer money is laughable. It will see Auckland
water users funding Rolls-Royce water treatment plants in
the far north, and force gold plated solutions onto tiny
communities. We
don’t often say Phil Goff is right, but on this, he is
bang on with his warnings.”
“Even worse, these
proposals remove the ability of ratepayers to hold the water
bodies to account. They’re going to be able to impose huge
costs, without being accountable, even indirectly, to the
communities who will pick up the bills.”
“The
proposed matrix of committee and iwi governance is a
bugger’s muddle.”
“The claim that councils will
still own the assets is worthless and true in name only.
They won’t be able to do a thing to sack or govern the
water assets local communities have paid
for.”
© Scoop Media
New Zealand's grassroots campaign for lower taxes and less government waste
The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is an independent activist group, dedicated to being the voice for Kiwi taxpayers in the corridors of power. It's here to fight government waste and make sure New Zealanders get value for money from their tax dollar. New Zealanders are invited to join and donate at http://taxpayers.org.nz
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