15 May 2009 Media release
Labour: last line of defence for Auckland democracy

The National-Act Government’s push to ram through legislation stripping Aucklanders of their democractic rights will not deter Labour from holding it to account for this utterly shabby treatment, says Labour’s Shadow Leader of the House Darren Hughes.

“Rodney Hide’s whingeing about the Government’s failure to ram the legislation through last night, is nothing but a further indictment on the anti-democratic process he and the National Party have embarked on.

“The Government’s MPs may have been desperate to leave Parliament last night so they could have Friday off, but Labour will continue to use every legitimate opportunity to ensure the so-called technical transition Bill on Auckland governance is given the proper debate it deserves. Aucklanders deserve it.

“Reform of Auckland governance is needed. But so is proper consultation.

“The Government’s poorly thought-out and rushed proposals are seriously flawed.
And the Local Government (Auckland Reorganisation) Bill it is trying to pass under urgency, without public consultation, will enable an all-powerful agency to begin setting up the Government’s plan immediately.

“The agency will be working on setting up the structure during the four months the select committee sits to hear public submissions,” says Darren Hughes.

“What this means is that by the time the public’s views are collated, much of the structure will be set in stone. That’s putting the cart before the horse and it’s the rights of Aucklanders which will be sacrificed in the process.

“The transition agency quite simply should not be established until Aucklanders have been listened to. The Government’s attempt to mislead the public into thinking otherwise is a sheer display of arrogance.

“Labour, together with other Opposition parties, are determined to fight for Auckland democracy. We are the last line of defence,” says Darren Hughes.

“Labour is also concerned that National is allowing Maungakiekie MP Pesata Sam Lotu-liga to participate in debate on, and vote on, this issue. He is an Auckland City Councillor and clearly has a conflict of interest. It’s bad enough that he’s double-dipping by drawing a salary for both jobs.

“It’s just another sign of the contempt National is displaying towards Auckland.”

ENDS

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