PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Government

Dunedin Stadium Fundraising Should Be Voluntary

Libertarianz leader Richard McGrath today praised the 1300 people who marched in protest against the Dunedin City Council's plan to force ratepayers, and possibly other taxpayers, to underwrite the cost of a proposed new sports stadium.

"As a former resident of Dunedin, I believe a new stadium would be a great asset for its owners and for the people of Otago. Personally, I am quite excited at the prospect of replacing Carisbrook with a bigger and better venue. However, that is no reason to shift the burden of funding this venture onto people who are already struggling during a time of economic recession," he said.

"The Libertarianz Party opposes coercion in all its forms, including this attempt by the DCC to shackle ratepayers to someone's dream," he added. "This project should be financed voluntarily, and entirely, from private sources. And other activities that Dunedin ratepayers are currently forced to pay for should be privatised and opened up to competition."

"The time has come for the people of Dunedin, and our other towns and cities, to ask whether they really need councils interfering in their lives," said Dr McGrath. "My party would like to see the scope and depth of city council activities scaled right back. By privatising the various services currently run as council monopolies, these and other local bodies could eventually be abolished."

"Meantime, the DCC should step back and allow those who wish to fund this project step forward, put their money where their mouths are, and stop trying to extort funds from other people who may not support the idea of a new multi-million dollar stadium."

ENDS

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