21 October 1999

FIRE SERVICE LEVY INCREASES “OUTRAGEOUS INSULT”

United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne, has reacted angrily to today’s announcement that Fire Service levies are to be increased.

He describes the increases as an “outrageous insult” to property owners, and the ultimate legacy and indictment of the profligacy of the previous failed Estall Fire Service Commission.

“That Commission wasted millions of dollars on a failed restructuring programme and legal advice designed to keep it in office; used up the levy-in-advance account, and then cut levies.”

“Today, its chickens have home to roost, and homeowners – who already pay a disproportionate share of the levies – will, as usual, bear the burden.”

“It is an absolute disgrace, and all the Ministers and officials who so faithfully backed Mr Estall until the bitter end of his disastrous tenure should now hang their heads in utter shame that they supported his obdurate attitude and failed experiment for so long.”

“Today’s increase is a direct consequence of their collective failure to act and they must accept responsibility,” he says.

Mr Dunne says that, on a wider level, today’s announcements prove once more the inadequacy of the existing levy regime, and give further weight to United’s push since 1996 for a new funding system based on property valuations.

“The present system is clearly untenable, and lacks credibility.”

“I am confident that after the election there will be a majority in Parliament for changing to the type of funding system United has so constantly advocated, and for most New Zealanders, now facing a rise in their levies, it cannot come soon enough," Mr Dunne says.

ENDS

New Zealand’s Liberal Party

MEDIA STATEMENT
HON PETER DUNNE, MP
LEADER UNITED NEW ZEALAND
Parliament Buildings, Wellington 1.
h (04)471 9410 or (025) 469 808. Fax (04)499 7266.
e-mail: peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz. Internet Address: http://www.united.org.nz

New Zealand’s Liberal Party

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