So there is no privatisation agenda?
The latest piece of evidence for the “non-privatisation agenda” is the Government’s decision to repeal the law that would prevent the privatisation of the Ports of Auckland unless a majority of Aucklanders voted to approve the sale. This was confirmed by Local Government Minister Rodney Hide in question time today.
(Strange that Hide didn’t announce this last Friday when he unveiled the content of the third super city bill.)
Add that to the decision to allow our water dams, pipelines and treatment stations to be owned by the private sector for 35 years. And to the decision to repeal the requirement that councils consult the community before contracting out public services to the private sector.
It is starting to walk and quack like a duck privatisation agenda as far as I can tell.
Aucklanders don’t want the ports flogged off. We fought off privatisation in the 1990s and we’ll fight it again now under this National-ACT Government. The most recent poll showed 78% oppose privatisation of the ports. That is why Hide wants to clear the decks of any requirement to give Aucklanders a say in a referendum.
It is also why they are bringing in a three year moratorium on the sale of Auckland Council assets. But let’s be clear, this moratorium is cynically designed to pave the way for privatisation after the 2011 general election.
Hide has been busy advocating mandatory referenda for rate capping, but can’t stomach the idea of a referendum on asset sales.
Essentially he has been lying to Aucklanders all year. He has consistently rubbished the idea that there is a privatisation agenda for Auckland’s assets. Meanwhile he is setting about dismantling the legal protections that give Aucklanders a say before their precious assets are sold off, and opening up water infrastructure to private ownership.
Rodney Hide is not fit to be Local Government Minister. But at least he is honest about his intentions. His gutless coalition colleagues on the National benches are too timid to campaign on a privatisation platform, but they vote for the same odious policies.
Argh! Woe is Auckland.
The trick here is to elect a sensible mayor and a sensible council. At least that will put the Hide/Douglas/Brash agenda on hold for 3 years. Then, of course, elect a Labour government that can fix up this super city dogs breakfast. Hope you guys can all see the wood for the trees?
jennifer, the trick is make sure the 2011 general election becomes a referendum on Rodney Hide.
In the medium to longer term there is another issue around whether you need a port of anything like that size right in the middle of Auckland.
My view is that when the rail link to Marsden Point is done and a proper inland port is developed for transfers then most major cargo and just about all containers will go by a more fuel efficient system out of Northland.
It will also mean that the environmental damage that is being done by the regular (and increasing because of ship size) and expensive dredging will be much reduced.
That means Aucklanders will be able to reclaim a massive seaside park in the central city. In fact I reckon no one with any commercial savy would want to buy it with that future.
Auckland Regional Council ratepayers already own POA 100%. They also have a 19.9% share in Northland Port Corporation, along with Tauranga who also have an interest. While we all hope that the Marsden Point rail link goes ahead to connect the port to the rail system, it will need a further HUGE investment to improve the link to Auckland before using Marsden Point as a main incoming port. I agree that Aucklanders want their waterfront back, and note that very few major cities now have their port at the foot of the main street. I feel that until container ships are so big that the Rangitoto channel can’t handle them, the investment in improving curves, bridges and tunnels on the Whangarei/Auckland rail line will not be made. I cannot see ratepayers in Auckland or any future council agreeing to any privatisation of Ports of Auckland.
I understand that in this case a referendum would be a useful tool. However, referenda are totally useless in achieving a considered, well reasoned result (even when they are un-ambiguous and written by someone with half a brain). I am growing increasingly tired of people simply calling for a referendum on every issue. This isn’t a direct democracy.
Hopefully, if the issue is well publicized – and I believe Phil Tywford is doing a good job of this – then we will see a Super Mayor elected who is supportive of public ownership, and a election result that puts Rodney Hide back in his rightful place.
On this one, perhaps, Mr Mallard might stick to his knitting (or cycling). Mr Morgan makes excellent points about the infrastructural requirements need to connect Whangarei’s port with the rest of the country. Interestingly, whilst the logistics and infrastructure associated with Tauranga are much better, the movement of Auckland’s traffic to Tauranga would create significant additional road and rail investment issues. Plans to move the port within its current general area, such as the old idea about Pollen Island, carry with them such huge environmental and cost burdens that they cannot run. I expect to turn up my toes with the red fence still at the bottom of Queen Street.
On the other hand, Mr Hide is really trying to make Mr Banks’ campaign very difficult. Good.
Trevor, stop thinking like a minister, please. And stick to Wainui. Last time you involved yourself in Auckland local politics, it didn’t go well, did it?
Hey Trevor, were your lot going to build the Marsden Point Branch if you won the 2008 election? It was more or less implied that it would be in the mini-budget that you would put out that year.
Phil,
Did you notice in this month’s Metro article that Banksie “is talking to the government about amalgamating the Ports of Auckland, Tauranga and Whangarei” – apparently in order to free up Bledisloe Wharf for development rather than Queens Wharf.
I wonder if this is news to Tauranga and Whangarei? And what right does Banks have to engage on this without the other Councils?
Banksie, good questions. Seems Labour people don’t read Metro? Way too ‘Auckland’ for them?