Goff’s budget immoral and a breach of election promise

30 NOVEMBER 2017

Responding to the Auckland Council’s proposed 10-year budget (Long Term Plan) Jo Holmes, spokesperson for the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance:

“This is a budget which will hurt the very people who can least afford it. The fuel tax disproportionately costs the blue collar and shift workers in outer suburbs. The proceeds will be used for water infrastructure which only benefits the affluent inner suburbs is immoral. This runs counter to everything the Labour Party is supposed to stand for.”

“Mr Goff claims that replacing the interim transport levy with the fuel tax is a question of fairness. He’s completely right – it’s unfair. The fuel tax is estimated to cost the average motorist $135 a year, while the interim transport levy only cost $114 a year per household. A household with two motorists commuting to work and dropping kids off at school will find the amount they pay for transport in Auckland will more than double.”

“Phil Goff promised to limit rates hikes to 2.5% and deliver cost savings within the Council. He hasn’t even tried. These new targeted rates, which bring the average rates rise to 6.2% next year, are a sneaky and dishonest attempt to get around what was a cast iron election promise. While the Council’s spin doctors are working hard to say it matches Mr Goff’s promise to keep rate hikes at 2.5%, no one will be falling for it when they open next year’s rates bill.”

ENDS

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