It has been another busy month for the Democracy Action working group. Auckland Council gave its citizens just 28 days to read, research and respond to the draft Auckland Plan 2050 – very little time, and so much to do! Many of us are very alarmed by what we read in the plan. Please see the update below for more details.
Even though the deadline has passed for officially providing the council with feedback on the Plan, this does not prevent us from letting our representatives know what we think about the proposals. Please take the time to do so.
Another issue that has reared its head – again - is the push to disempower citizens by taking away their right to petition for a vote on Māori ward seats. This time by Local Government New Zealand. LGNZ “considers that the appropriate democratic discipline on council decision-making occurs every three years at the local body elections”. (LGNZ policy brief - Māori wards and constituencies, 28 March 2018).
So, according to LGNZ, that’s your lot, folks!
Although not a democracy issue, I am aware that many of our members are strongly opposed to the special tax exemptions for charitable companies conducting commercial operations e.g. Sanitarium and iwi owned companies. Currently the government is reviewing our tax laws and are calling for submissions by 30th April. Some may want to provide feedback to the government. Click here for more information.
Thank you for your continued interest and support. If you have any suggestions you would like to offer, or if you need further information or help, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
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Kind regards,
Susan Short