MEDIA RELEASE 3 August 2007

Minister Asked to Release Rates Inquiry Report and Recommendations to the Public Today.

Statement from David Thornton.

I have today emailed Local Government Minister Mark Burton asking him to release the report of the Independent Rates Inquiry which he will receive today.

The following is the full text of my email;-

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Hon Mark Burton
Minister of Local Government
Wellington

3rd August 2007

Dear Minister

Independent Rates Inquiry

I understand that you will today receive the report from the Rates Inquiry panel.

I further understand that you have indicated that the report will not be available to the public until after you have ‘considered’ the recommendations.

As you will be aware, thousands of ratepayers, and people generally around the country, are waiting to hear the outcome of this Inquiry.

There were almost a thousand submitters to the Inquiry, including organisations which spoke on behalf of thousands of members and supporters, and they have a particular interest in seeing the report as soon as possible.

May I therefore ask you to release the report today so it can be accessed by the public?

As this was an Independent Inquiry I can see no reason for withholding the report and its findings and recommendations.

There is a further reason for releasing the report immediately, and that is the impending local elections.

Rates will undoubtedly be a major issue at the elections and the Inquiry recommendations will have a significant bearing on policies which council candidates are now preparing following the opening of nominations a week ago.

It is in everyone’s interest that the Inquiry Report be made available on your website, or the Inquiry website, today.

Please confirm that you will respond positively to this request

David Thornton
NoMoreRates.com

ENDS

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