10 August 2016

Vic Crone slams Council’s investments in big tobacco

Auckland mayoral candidate, Vic Crone, has slammed Auckland Council bureaucrats for a “culture of waste, incompetence and unaccountability” in the wake of an investigation that uncovered Council held shares worth $770,000 in British American Tobacco.

“While Auckland Council steps up its smoke-free policy, the Council’s $320 million investment fund has been tipping ratepayer money into offshore vehicles for big tobacco, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Hershey’s and two of the world’s largest alcohol companies,” says Ms Crone.

Most embarrassingly, Auckland Council says it will be a month before it can confirm the actual amount – it could well be more – and councillors themselves had no idea this was happening.

“This is council incompetence and ratepayers shouldn’t have to endure another three years of this six year mess. It is a massive leadership failure and it’s something I’ll be tackling from day one,” says Ms Crone.

Vic Crone’s strong, fiscally responsible plan will cut $500 million in wasteful spending, keep rates as low as possible and get council debt under control while investing in core infrastructure for housing and transport.

“The problem with Auckland is the council and its culture. That must change and it will with me as Mayor. I will lead a council that delivers real results for all Aucklanders.”

ENDS

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