Criticism of Local Government Bill – criticism of NZers

The National Party’s misguided criticism of the Local Government Bill is also criticism of the many, many New Zealanders who were involved in the development of the legislation, and is an insult to their intelligence, PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said today.

“PSA members, along with many local authorities, community groups, and individuals, were involved actively in the lengthy consultation process that took place prior to the drafting of the Bill. This involved developing the strategy which underpinned the consultation document, responding to the consultation document, and finally making submissions on the Bill.”

Richard Wagstaff said the extensive consultation process involved in forming the Bill was a reflection of the purpose of the Bill itself – consultation with the community to enable and ensure its involvement in decisions made by local authorities about that community and its economic, social, cultural, and environmental wellbeing.

“The PSA works very successfully with government and employers within a partnership strategy involving the same elements as the Local Government Bill – consultation, inclusion, and consensus. We see no reason why a partnership relationship between local authorities and their communities would not be every bit as successful.”

Richard Wagstaff said the National Party’s attempt to discredit the Bill by playing the race card was transparent and would fail to detract from the positive and beneficial aspects of the legislation.

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