Mayoral Candidate Len Brown: Professional Behaviour Essential

Manukau City voters have contacted me to say they are worried by the reckless attack on the Council’s Chief Executive from Cr Dick Quax. Cr Quax disputes staff statistics that the Chief Executive has provided.

I understand that Cr Quax may have been caught short on the facts in public statements that form part of his campaign. The real worry that people are expressing to me concerns Cr Quax’s aggressive public behaviour with respect to the Council’s Chief Executive.

What is becoming apparent is that Cr Quax may be unable to work in a professional manner with the Chief Executive of the Manukau City Council. People are telling me that they want someone who can work with the Chief Executive and maintain a proper independence from the Council bureaucracy.

Over the last three years I have reflected on the importance of remaining entirely independent when elected to public office and how critical the qualities of judgement and integrity are in the way leadership is exercised across the city.

I for one am very clear about the expectations that I would have of the Council organisation and its Chief Executive regarding standards of behaviour and performance. I am very confident that I can work vigorously with Council staff from an appropriately independent perspective having been elected by the people of the city.

I am also confident that I will be able to work in an independent and effective manner with the Council Chief Executive and hold him accountable to the Council as I intend to hold myself accountable to the people of the city.

There is no need to descend to the low level of behaviour demonstrated by Cr Quax when running for the Manukau Mayoralty. Manukau deserves better than that.

Len Brown Mayoral Candidate - Manukau City

© Scoop Media