Transpower needs to be accountable to taxpayers

Media release

Newmarket Business Association

Monday 25 January 2010
 

Transpower needs to be accountable to taxpayers – enough is enough

“Transpower handed out $5million of taxpayers’ money in performance bonuses in 2008 and yet the power black-outs continue, " says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association, tonight.

“Transpower is a state monopoly and a state-owned enterprise yet there’s never any accountability only ever excuses.

“I appreciate that half a billion dollars is set to be spent on an Auckland electricity upgrade but completion is not due until 2014.  Do we just have accept regular power cuts until then or is Transpower going to start taking some responsibility?

“Power cuts seem to have become a regular event in Auckland and it's fast becoming beyond a joke. Let's hope we don't have a blackout during the last week of the Rugby World Cup next year. Imagine what the rest of the world would think of us. Given they're late night games to be played under lights, I hope Eden Park will have generators as back-up. Thankfully Auckland hasn't yet got electric trains!

"It's not just about losing business, it's about Auckland's reputation as aspiring international city.

"Half of Newmarket businesses lost power around 4.45pm this evening. Fortunately it's at the end of the day, but it does nothing to inspire confidence in the security of electricity supply into Auckland. It's hard running a business like this, let alone such a fast growing city.

“Auckland will be a region of two million people in just 20 years. The pressure on our electricity network will be immense. We need to do better," says Cameron Brewer.

Ends

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