3 December 2009 Media Statement

Huo welcomes change of heart on Asian voice

Labour is welcoming the Government’s change of heart on ensuring Asian communities will have a voice in Auckland’s new super council, says the party’s Associate Ethnic Affairs Spokesperson Raymond Huo.

“I have been calling on the Government to establish an Asian Advisory board or committee on the new council for some time and was disappointed when it voted against my proposed amendment to do so.

“Encouraged by the support I received from the Asian community, I subsequently drafted a Members Bill which seeks to establish either an Asian Advisory board or committee as part of the new council,” Raymond Huo said.

“The Government has finally come around and accepted the Asian community both wants and should have a voice in the structure, with the announcement an Ethnic Advisory Panel will be established.

“Auckland needs to ensure that the voices of all its different communities are heard around the council table, if it is to be a truly metropolitan 21st century city.

“I am however concerned that the Government is only planning to mandate the panel for three years – which means an unsympathetic council could move to dump it,” Raymond Huo said.

“Given the size of the Asian community in Auckland is 13 per cent and growing, there is no reason for this and I will be pushing the Government to revisit the time limit.”

ENDS

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