18 August 2009 Media release
Strong opposition to privatisation of Auckland assets

A poll showing Aucklanders firmly opposed to the privatisation of council assets should encourage political parties planning to oppose my Member’s Bill tomorrow to rethink their stance, says Labour's Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford.

“The Bill aims to protect Auckland community assets from privatisation by requiring the new Auckland super city to hold a referendum if it wants to sell them.

“The Bill will have its first reading in Parliament tomorrow. Labour, the Greens, the Maori Party and the Progressives have all said they will vote for it. However it will still need the support of Act, led by the self-dubbed Minister of Ratepayers Rodney Hide, or a handful of National MPs to get to select committee.

“The UMR poll* finds that 85 per cent of Aucklanders oppose selling water supply assets to private companies, while 82 per cent oppose selling assets such as parks, libraries and recreational/entertainment facilities. Eight-one per cent oppose the sale of the ports and the airport,” says Phil Twyford.

“The poll also found only 26 per cent of Aucklanders want the super city to be responsible for core services only, as proposed by a current Government review. Sixty-seven per cent want the new council also providing services such as pensioner housing, cultural festivals and events.

“Rodney Hide wants to change the Local Government Act so councils hold referenda before they commit to spending decisions, but has at the same time signaled he wants less consultation than is currently required before assets are sold.

“Aucklanders are worried that assets such as water, the ports, transport and many others, which ratepayers have built up over generations, are under threat as a result of both this and the super city reform,” says Phil Twyford.

“The Local Government (Protection of Auckland Assets) Amendment Bill would require the Auckland Council to hold a referendum if significant asset sales are being considered. This is an opportunity for the Government to reassure Aucklanders the super city is not a Trojan horse for privatisation.”

*Poll sample of 240 Aucklanders

ENDS

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