5 April 2009 Media Statement

Local voices must not be lost "in the rush"

Opposition Leader Phil Goff has called on the Government not to rush implementation of the Royal Commission’s proposals for Auckland, saying there are problems with local democracy that need more thought.

“Overall Labour thinks that thrust of the Royal Commission’s report is correct, but it is vital we don’t lose the local out of local government” said Mr Goff.

“I am concerned the Royal Commission has not yet got it right in striking the right balance between centralising power to make the new city more efficient and ensuring all communities are fairly represented. If we don’t get this right local democracy will be the loser.

“The Government has signalled it intends to move quickly to implement changes so that new structures are in place for elections next year. If poor decisions are made in the rush, Aucklanders will pay the price for years to come.

“Already West Auckland community groups have called for pause to allow for time to understand how the Commission’s recommendations will impact their everyday lives. Their voice needs to be heard, the Government should give them the opportunity.”

Mr Goff called on Prime Minister John Key to keep to National’s campaign promise that it would ‘consult with Aucklanders once the findings of the Royal Commission are known’.

“It is not enough to say that Aucklanders had their say during the Royal Commission’s submissions process as National said in the House this week. Now that proposals are on the table, the Government should allow Aucklanders to have their say before draft legislation is tabled in Parliament.”

Mr Goff said the Royal Commission in many respects had got it right.

“Labour set up the Royal Commission because we recognised Auckland needed to be able to speak with one voice, and needed better regional governance so it could make the big decisions for Auckland’s future. We stand by that and acknowledge the important work done by the Royal Commission,” Phil Goff said.

“Our chief concern is the proposal to elect councillors to the new super city at-large. This risks many communities not being represented.

“The expense of running a campaign across such a large constituency biases the system towards those that can afford to meet those costs. A councillor elected at large would have an unmanageably large constituency of around 850,000 people,” Phil Goff said.

“Before Auckland City had wards, the eastern suburbs were heavily represented. The west and the south missed out.

“Labour thinks all the councillors in the new super city should be elected from local wards. This guarantees all communities are fairly represented.”

Mr Goff also said he thought the Royal Commission put too much power in the hands of the new mega-mayor. He said the executive powers risked unbalancing the relationship between the mayor and councillors, and believed the Government should consider checks and balances to make the structures more democratic.

“The most difficult area in the proposed new structures is the second tier. Labour has concerns that the six local councils may be too large to get close to the concerns of local communities. At the same time, almost all the key functions have been pushed up to the new super city leaving the local councils with too little to do.

“The Commission acknowledges good work done by some existing Councils in promoting economic development and a sense of place. We need to consider carefully whether the new much-reduced local councils will have the resources and mandate to continue that work.

“Labour is absolutely committed to keeping Auckland’s strategic assets in public ownership. The Royal Commission proposes that the port, a transport authority, and an integrated water organisation be owned by the new super city and operated on commercial lines.

“Aucklanders are strongly opposed to privatisation of these assets. They need to be in public hands and managed in the long term best interests of all Aucklanders. We propose that these assets be protected in law against privatisation.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media