Media release

10 December 2009

The Ports shouldn’t be privatised

Mayor of Manukau Len Brown is concerned that the introduction of the third bill setting up the new Auckland Council will make it easier for the Ports of Auckland to be privatised.

“Retaining and developing strategic public assets is important to the future of the Auckland region and is integral to the economic base of the city,” says Len Brown.

“The people of Auckland have made their voices loud and clear on the issue of privatisation of the Ports of Auckland. We don’t want to see them sold off.  The requirement to hold a referendum on the privatisation of Auckland’s ports is recognition that the public should have a direct say in the future of that asset.

“It’s concerning to see that the third bill will remove the ability of Aucklanders to make the ultimate decision over this important strategic asset. Attempts to sell the ports in the 1990s were met with fierce community opposition. In the past other councils have not stood up for public ownership of public assets. There is no guarantee the new council will do the same.

“Rodney Hide says he believes in making ‘democracy more democratic’. If he trusts the people, then why not leave the decision on Auckland’s port up to the people?

“The right to a referendum on the sale of the Ports of Auckland must be maintained,” says Len Brown.

ends

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