Labour on notice over rates
National Party Local Government spokesman John Carter says he remains hugely cynical about Labour’s so-called
independent inquiry into rating issues.
“Labour should consider itself on notice. Ratepayers deserve much more than a sham inquiry, with limited powers and
narrow terms of reference.”
Mr Carter says he is pleased that his request for an inquiry by the select committee that deals with local government
will stay on that committee’s agenda.
“I think the Greens are wise to reserve their position until after they see what Labour are cooking up.”
Mr Carter says he also wants to know whether individual members of the public will be invited to feed into the
independent inquiry, as they would have had that chance through the open select committee process.
“It would be an absolute travesty if the homeowners and businesses that are facing crippling rates increases aren’t
asked to contribute.”
Mr Carter says National expects a thorough ‘independent inquiry’ would look at the impact of central government fiddling
on local government.
“For instance, it’s costing District Councils like Wanganui about $50,000 every time Labour changes its policy.
Wellington City Council has identified millions of dollars that have been loaded on to ratepayers by this Labour
Government.
“Unless the inquiry takes a good hard look at that buck-passing then it will have failed.”
Mr Carter says Mark Burton now has an opportunity to restore some public faith in ‘independent’ inquiries, following the
nine-month Phillip Field fiasco.
“The jury’s out on this one. Let’s see the detail.”
Ends