Labour must take responsibility for rate rise

ACT leader Rodney Hide today said the Labour Party must accept responsibility for local government rate hikes.

Mr Hide’s comments follow the revelation that the average rate rise nationwide for the year is expected to be 7.4 percent. The average for Auckland City is 11 percent. “Meanwhile, mayors and officials have met in Wellington to figure out more ways to suck in more money.

“There needs to be a strict cap put on local government’s ability to raise rates. My Local Government (Rating Cap) Amendment Bill (2003) did just that. “Of course, the Labour Party is all about more taxes, higher rates, and increased spending, and so its MPs rejected the much needed discipline.

“That’s why rates are on the way up. That’s why ratepayers are being socked,” said Mr Hide.

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