Media Statement
13 May 2009

Hon Peter Dunne
MP for Ohariu
Leader of UnitedFuture

Dunne calls public meeting on Wellington Civil Defence woes

UnitedFuture leader and Ohariu MP Peter Dunne has called a public meeting for this Saturday to get to the bottom of Wellington’s Civil Defence woes.

“We really need Wellington City Council to front up and talk to the people about the current and future state of Wellington’s civil defence preparedness,” Mr Dunne said.

“In the wake of current public debate, the Council has been offering to brief me on its perspective. However, this issue is so important that everyone with an interest in civil defence should have the chance o hear what the Council has to say, not just me,” he said.

“That is why I am inviting the Council to fully outline its current and future plans, so we can all learn of their intentions.

“This issue has already generated a great deal of concern, with claims and counter-claims about Wellington’s state of preparedness, now and in future. This meeting provides an opportunity to clear the air, and fully inform people about how safe they are in Wellington today,” he said.

Mr Dunne said he hoped all parties would participate openly and fully.

“I think we need an awful lot less secrecy and a far clearer sense of direction and some hard facts if we are to have confidence in Wellington’s civil defence,” he said.

Mr Dunne said he would be particularly looking for a commitment from the Council to work constructively with the community volunteers to ensure an effective and workable civil defence response is in place for Wellington.

The meeting will be held at Tawa Community Centre, Cambridge Street, Tawa at 2pm on Saturday.

Ends

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