Double Dipping Councillors Not Acceptable [Tenby Powell]

Media Release from Tenby Powell

For Immediate Release: Saturday 18th September 2010, 12.00pm

Double Dipping Councillors Not Acceptable

Leading Waitemata & Gulf Ward Council candidate Tenby Powell today called for Auckland Council candidates to declare potential conflict of interests or withdraw from the election.

“It is unacceptable for Auckland Council candidates to have both hands out for tax-payer funded salaries as well as collect public funds from another job,” said Mr Powell.

“We have an example in Auckland’s Waitemata & Gulf Ward where candidate Alex Swney has openly admitted that he expects to be able to act as a so-called “Independent” Councillor as well as accept a significant salary from his business backers in the publicly funded organisation Heart of the City.”

“I believe the people of Auckland deserve and expect better than having a part-time Auckland Councillor while at the same time someone who acts as a business lobbyist against the Council,” said Mr Powell.

Powell resigned all his Directorships from Hirepool and the New Zealand Rental Group in August stating that he believes elected Councillors are there to serve the people of Auckland. He believes this should be considered a full-time job given the Auckland Council will administer the largest metropolitan population and area in Australasia.

Mr Powell added that “Auckland has an enormous opportunity ahead of it if our city is to succeed and become one of the world’s greatest cities, but our future cannot be undermined by double-dipping councillors who are clearly conflicted.”

“I call on candidates standing for the 20 seats around the new Auckland Council table to openly declare their potential conflicts of interest and state that they have the time necessary to run this great city or else they risk jeopardizing the Council’s ability to function effectively.”

“Candidates cannot have it both ways; either they are lobbyists pressuring the Council for their own commercial gains or they are on Council to serve the people of Auckland,” said Mr Powell.

“In this case Alex Swney needs to tell the people of Auckland that he is either a lobbyist for Heart of the City and their vested commercial interests or he is a legitimate candidate standing for the better of all of Auckland,” Mr Powell said.

ENDS

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