Mana Endorses Chch Independent Advocacy Commission Plan

MANA is endorsing the call by Christchurch residents for an independent Advocacy Commission for those facing obdurate officialdom and the corporate insurance industry in the wake of the Christchurch earthquakes.

MANA economic justice spokesperson John Minto says the march on Saturday by residents was a wake-up call to the rest of New Zealand that many Christchurch residents need support.

"They shouldn't be left to the tender mercies of Gerry Brownlee and the corporate capitalists of the insurance industry.

"From the letter presented to the country from Rev Mike Coleman on behalf of We Can which organised the march, it's clear many people are struggling with financial problems after falling in the wide cracks between the traffic light assessment of their properties, the government compensation offer and private insurance companies trying to weasel out of their responsibilities.

"We Can is proposing an independent Advocacy Commission to support these people and we think it's an excellent idea. Having such an agency to provide advice, support, backup and advocacy for individual families (and whole communities in some cases) would ease the burden of worry and distress facing so many in Christchurch.

"We applaud the marchers. Instead of complaining they have come up with a common-sense solution and we congratulate them. All they want is a fair deal and we support their proposal to get one," says Mr Minto.

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