Key: Govt Listened To Auckland
Prime Minister John Key says that the government has listened to the concerns of Aucklanders about the new local government governance structure.
He told a post-Cabinet news conference this afternoon that the government had accepted the recommendations of the parliamentary select committee which heard submissions on the bill.
That committee “has done its best to listen to the views of Aucklanders and reflect their concerns.”
He said it was fair to state that there had been a range of views and it was important to remember why the reform started.
Mr Key said it came out of a widely held view that Auckland was being held back by its governance structure.
In the end, he said, this was about enabling things to get done in Auckland.
7 Comments
key has got to be joking?
The questions is - have they tinkered enough to let a bit of steam escape? Or are they underestimating the anger?
I would suggest, underestimating the anger.
If the people said they wanted job cuts then that’s what they got with people from the TLAs who were trying for jobs with Watercare. I estimate 80% of water based jobs will evaporate at Waitakere City alone.
San Luca - I wouldn’t be too sure. Unified admin structures are by far not automatically smaller…
I would think they have just been trying to please the majority, most people I have spoken to out and about in Auckland think what the government is/was doing is great and like the direction, they are sick of all the PC crap that goes around and believe it takes to long to get anything done, and to many people have a say in things that has nothing to do with them.
I tend to think the way the super city was been shaped the governement would have to much say, but this definately improves things, and I believe the structure is good for all including transport in Auckland.
@Joshua - people like the concept (including myself) of a unified council across Auckland, but if people were aware of some of the detail (which most people aren’t) they might be a little more critical.