John Carter MP
National Party Local Government Spokesman

24 January 2008

Mayors highlight crippling compliance costs

National's Local Government spokesman, John Carter, is congratulating two Northland mayors for publicly slamming Labour's crippling compliance costs which are making home-ownership a pipe dream for ordinary Kiwis.

"Stan Semenoff and Wayne Brown are telling it how it is: that Labour's absurd obsession with over-regulation in the building sector is making life hell for local councils and ratepayers not just in Northland, but across the country.

"The Building Act is estimated to have loaded up to $20,000 on the cost of building a new home. Housing affordability is becoming a thing of the past."

Mr Carter says councils need urgent action from the Government, not just a half-hearted commitment from Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones that he will meet with those concerned to discuss the issue.

"Mr Jones and the Labour Government need to take seriously an international study released this week which shows Kiwis are increasingly unable to afford to buy houses.

"At a time where Kiwis are being hit in the hip pocket from every direction - increased petrol costs, high interest rates, spiralling food prices - it is not enough to engage in yet another talk-fest.

"Labour also needs to acknowledge that is has passed a whopping 69 pieces of legislation which have resulted in increased costs for local government and ratepayers.

"National will not load ratepayers up with more red tape and higher stealth taxes. We will cut compliance costs, simplify home building processes and reform the RMA to ensure home affordability becomes a reality for ordinary Kiwis."

ENDS

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