My opponent in Te Atatu, Tau Henare, is on the rampage campaigning on behalf of West Auckland businesses he says are being unfairly charged higher rates by the Auckland Council than businesses in other parts of the city.
Tau says this is a “constitutional outrage” and that West Auckland businesses are “being bled dry”.
He is right that West Auckland businesses should not have to pay more than those in other parts of the new super city. But they wouldn’t have to, if it weren’t for a silly law passed by National and voted for by Tau Henare.
The Local Government (Auckland Transition Provisions) Act explicitly prohibits the Auckland Council from introducing a new unified rating regime until mid-2012. Not only did Tau vote for it. He sat on the select committee that heard public submissions on the Bill.
Under the Act the Auckland Council is this year allowed only to levy a uniform percentage change on the pre-super city rates – a move carefully designed by National to make sure Aucklanders didn’t get hit by super-sized rates increases just before this year’s general election.
(For the record, Labour voted against it.)
Tau seems to have made a habit of being a doormat for business interests, this time he has stepped on his own banana skin.
Righto.
The business rate differential issue has been around for donkeys years, but suddenly in election year it’s an issue? Tau should know better. The first thing he should do is implement the recommendations from David Shand’s report. I am over politicians speaking with forked tongues a few months out from an election just for votes.
When I submitted to the Select Committee overseeing the legislation, Tau was actually Chairing it. Must have really had his finger on the pulse.
If he wants to campaign on the issue he’ll also need to close the loop – cutting rates on business means slashing services, increasing residential rates, or increasing debt – which one does he prefer I wonder?
Word to that Phil. Why is there so little critical analysis or journalistic pride in this country. Makes me ashamed. I would hope that if you did something as stupid they would bust you too.
Ha ha ha ha ha!
!
Feel a bit sorry for the business owners though
In the case of Mr Henare, all the lobes do not connect permanently. I have watched his performance on Select Committeees myself, and have seen the blankness as things become complicated. He is a force to be sure, but not a thinking one.
Nick K :The rates in the former waitakere area had a fixed annual charge for water supply & wastewater. Theres the revenue looking you in the face. Businesses had water meters
After a lengthy twitter exchange with Tau @tauhenare @philtwyford(is there any other kind when you don’t give him the last word?), it appears…he never advocated to Rodney Hide that the new Auckland Council be allowed to bring in unified rates regime FY11-12. This would have meant West Auckland businesses paid the same as all others this year on. He never made the case to the relevant Minister in his own government. Now he whines and asks Auckland Council to do the politically impossible and give the West rates remission. Why not Franklin? Why not Papakura? Why not Rodney?
This Super Council stuff really gets under my skin. If we make further moves to adding it to other parts of the country, I’d get fired up and advocate federalism.
What’s the difference between a Super Council and state government?
Devil , a state government would have control over schools, hospitals, police and would normally have other taxing powers ( over individuals ?)
Funny how it is National (& ACT) can go into the election and say ” Super City- it had nothing to do with us”.
No wonder Joyce was so keen dig the grave for Hide. I bet Key backed him to the hilt.