MEDIA RELEASE

Statement from David Thornton – Founder/Organiser

Concerns That Process Of Independent Inquiry Into Rates Will Not Attract Ratepayers Attention.

The first public meetings of the Independent Inquiry into rates and local body funding are due to be held in Hamilton on Monday and Auckland on Tuesday.

 I have had many inquiries from ratepayers as to the progress of the Inquiry and their ability to make submissions.

Regrettably there has been little publicity so far on the process other than on the internet.

I have therefore emailed the Inquiry today asking for my concerns to be addressed – in particular hard copies of the background to rates, the questions the Inquiry wants submissions on, and also requesting an extra meeting in the Auckland region which includes one-third of the country’s ratepayers.

TEXT OF EMAIL

I note that in the schedule of public meetings commencing next week only one meeting has been allocated to Auckland - a region which houses about one-third of the country's ratepayers.

The Auckland region has been the scene of huge reaction to rates increases and on population alone is deserving of more than one meeting on such a vital subject.

As I am sure you are aware this Independent Inquiry follows on from almost four years of ratepayer activity including the Regional Ratepayers Rebellion of 2003 in Auckland and the creation of the current nationwide NoMoreRates campaign.

The background paper, and the questions it poses, is a good basis for the inquiry, but I am deeply concerned at how effective the process will be, given the lack of publicity as to the availability of that paper other than via the internet.

Can I there ask you to undertake a wide publicity programme - perhaps even by newspaper supplement - to make the background paper readily available to all who will undoubtedly be affected by the outcome of this inquiry, and who should have every opportunity to submit their comments and views.

In similar vein I would ask you to arrange at least one additional meeting for the Auckland region - preferably in North Shore City for the benefit of ratepayers and others in the northern part of this huge region.

Ends

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