Wayne And Watson Should Vote No

Media speculation suggests the Council budget will pass with just eight votes in favour because several other Councillors are choosing to abstain. The names mentioned include Albany Councillors John Watson and Wayne Walker. Affordable Auckland’s Albany candidate Stephen Berry says, “If the budget passes with abstentions then abstaining is effectively a yes vote. I call on the Councillors to stop being gutless and vote against the Council budget at Thursday’s meeting.”

It appears some councillors have chosen to abstain rather than vote in favour of the budget after being advised of unspecified serious consequences by Chief Executive Stephen Town. Mr. Berry says, “There will also be serious consequences if the budget is passed for the ratepayers of Albany in the form of rates increases up to 9.9%. Councillors Watson and Walker should not think they will shirk responsibility by failing to vote.”

“If media reports that the budget will be passed 8 to 6 are accurate, then it would seem the Albany Councillors have a golden opportunity to save their jobs at the next election by voting to block the budget from passing.”

Affordable Auckland supports keeping rates increases below the level of inflation. It will achieve this by ensuring the Council sticks to its core functions specified in the Local Government Act.

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