MEDIA RELEASE
STENCH OF PORK BARREL POLITICS IN ROTORUA
8 AUGUST 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Responding to the Associate Minister of Tourism, Todd McClay’s comments on the opening of the Rotorua Mountain Bike Gravity Park, which received $225,000 of taxpayers’ money to develop, Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says:
“This is corporate welfare and pork-barrel politics in one. The local MP has thrown taxpayer money at a sexy venture in
the name of economic development. Some could perceive this as a cynical attempt to sure up support in the Rotorua
electorate.”
“Todd McClay is also Minister of Revenue and responsible for our tax system. He should be a steward of taxpayer money,
not doling out nearly a quarter of a million dollars to a private firm that will reap the rewards."
"Visitors to Rotorua this election season may notice a distinct whiff of pork barrel politics.”
Though Mr McClay won his seat comfortably at the last election, he faces stiff competition this year from former TVNZ
weatherman Tamati Coffey.
ENDS