Honest John?

“Neither does the ATA seem to think that this level of expenditure will significantly constrain the ability of the new Auckland Council to acquire land for open space”, says Carol Beaumont.

“Auckland City Council’s decision to unnecessarily remove Monte Cecilia school from its present location at the Monte Cecilia Park to an alternative site at St John Vianney Church in Hillsborough could cost up to $30 million of ratepayer assets. I’m sure $30 million will be seen as significant by the community.

“In response to my request to review the Auckland City Council decision our supposed watchdog, the ATA, advised me that they have not been asked to confirm the decision but if they are asked they believe that the Auckland City Council’s decisions regarding Monte Cecilia school do not meet the criteria for declining to confirm the decision.

These criteria are that the decision may directly or because of its consequences:

(i) significantly prejudice the reorganisation;

(ii) significantly constrain the powers or capacity of the Auckland Council or any subsidiary of the Auckland Council following reorganisation;

(iii) have a significant negative impact on the assets or liabilities that are transferred to the Auckland Council as a result of the reorganisation.

“Auckland City Councillors Glenda Fryer and Cathy Casey sought a review from the Office of the Auditor General which was declined, the Friends of Monte community group sought a review from the Ombudsman which was declined, now the watch dog set up to manage the transition to the new Auckland City seems to be asleep while Auckland City Council unnecessarily spends significant ratepayer resources.

“I have written to the ATA asking them to clarify their earlier response and to wake up to the actions of Auckland City Council”, says Carol Beaumont.

[Click here to read the draft Credit Reforms (Responsible Lending) Bill.]

Labour’s spokesperson for Consumer Affairs Carol Beaumont urged New Zealanders to write to National MP’s asking them to support her private members Bill, the Credit Reform (Responsible Lending) Bill, during its first reading which is to take place in two weeks time.

“Protecting our most vulnerable New Zealanders and their families is at the heart of my campaign to crackdown on Loan Sharks”, says Carol Beaumont

“Taking the Credit Reform (Responsible Lending) Bill to a select committee would enable MP’s from across the spectrum to hear, first hand, the stories I have been privileged to during this campaign. They would hear how major financial pressure and stress have had such a negative effect on families who have high interest loan shark agreements.

“I am asking people in our communities to write to National MP’s, asking them to support my private members Bill at its first reading.

“The vote is to take place in two weeks time, 26 May 2010.

“It is no secret that some loan sharks lend out money at obscene rates, without checking to see whether the borrower will be able to meet the repayment requirements.

“In some cases people are borrowing to pay off interest and then incurring much higher interest as a result, leaving them in more trouble than they were in the first place. For those unfortunate enough to be trapped in this ever restricting spiral of debt, the consequences can be severe.

“I have been overwhelmed by support. No one denies there is a serious problem and the community expects something to be done. Would like to see cross party support so Parliament can send a strong message to those who prey on vulnerable consumers”, says Carol Beaumont

In her letter to Mr Ford, Carol Beaumont said she understood up to $15 million of ratepayer money was being unnecessarily spent to shift a school that didn’t need to be moved.

Carol Beaumont said she also supported the request by two Auckland city councillors for the Auditor-General to investigate the council’s decision.

“Both councillors, Cathy Casey and Glenda Fryer, voting members of the council’s arts, culture and recreation committee, say they are concerned council officers failed to notify the committee of a resolution passed by the full council on 14 December 2000 which required the designation on the school land to be uplifted, leaving the school on its present site,” Carol Beaumont said..

“The councillors argue that as that decision was never revoked, the committee may subsequently have acted unlawfully, and want the Auditor-General to investigate the legal status of the council decision.”

Carol Beaumont said that while these matters were being investigated, there should be a stay of proceedings in relation to re-designating the school land or progressing purchase of the land from the Auckland Catholic Diocese.

“I believe it is entirely possible to meet the desire of the school to stay at its present location and to provide car parking and breathing space for the Pah Homestead and the James Wallace Art Collection. The school can be shifted on its present site for significantly less than $15 million,” Carol Beaumont said.

“This would provide a better solution for the surrounding community.”

Click here to read the draft Credit Reforms (Responsible Lending) Bill.

Note: You may require Adobe Reader software to be installed on your computer to open this file. You can download a free copy of Adobe Reader at http://www.adobe.com/reader.

“The campaign will be a strongly contested one and I am honoured to represent Labour and to build on the work that has taken place since the last election.”

“Members acknowledged the work that Carol has undertaken in building our organisation, profile and relationships within the electorate and her confirmation is a vote of confidence,” said Robert Gallagher, Labour’s Maungakiekie Electorate Chair.

Ms Beaumont said, “I will continue to work hard for, and with, the diverse and vibrant communities that make up the Maungakiekie electorate. I know that our message of ‘for the many not the few’ resonates for people in light of the actions of the National Government”.

“Issues like tax changes favouring the rich, Government inaction on jobs, the changes pushed through by the Government in creating Auckland’s ‘super city’, in education and ACC are among the many things concerning people in the electorate.

“I have committed to holding the Government to account for the damage they are doing and to engaging with people about alternatives.

“Labour’s early selection in the electorate is a clear message to the voters of Maungakiekie that we are serious about campaigning to win their confidence and their vote in 2011.”

Labour Party President Andrew Little yesterday confirmed that following the closure of nominations for candidates for the electorate on Friday, Carol Beaumont was the sole nominee.

“Maungakiekie is the electorate I live and work in and I am passionate about advocating on behalf of such a diverse and vibrant area with a number of distinct communities and a wide range of interests.

“I take the fact that I am the only nominee for the Maungakiekie electorate as a display of confidence and I have received positive feedback from members and the community about my hard work in building strong relationships and visibility as a Labour MP.

“Later this month Party members will have an opportunity to decide whether they will confirm my nomination. I will be encouraging those eligible to be involved in that process so they can be confident in my ability to be their candidate. I am in regular contact with members and regularly seek their input and feedback,” Carol Beaumont said.

“I am glad there is an early selection process as it sends a clear message to the voters of Maungakiekie that we are serious about campaigning to win their confidence and their votes in 2011.”

“The Onehunga foreshore was taken from the people of Auckland in the 1970s by the failure to undertake agreed mitigation when the motorway was initially constructed. The current extension of State Highway 20 provides an historic opportunity to restore the Onehunga foreshore and create a better environment for the people of Onehunga and Auckland generally,” Carol Beaumont said

“The Community Board and The Onehunga Enhancement Society (TOES), supported by local people, have worked tirelessly to develop a plan to restore the foreshore and create a much needed recreational space in this strategic location and to get the relevant parties — New Zealand Transport Agency, Auckland City Council and Auckland Regional Council — to support this plan.”

Carol Beaumont said she applauded the efforts of all parties to try to play their part. “We seem so close to a solution, but with work commencing with no agreed and resourced plan we are facing the unthinkable — the status quo, which is a completely destroyed foreshore with no recreational value or visual quality.

“There is an obligation to finish the mitigation work that was promised to the people of Onehunga when the existing motorway was created in the 1970s. There is strong local support for the restoration as part of a wider development of this area. There is also a commitment to taking whatever action necessary to ensure this opportunity is not lost this time,” Carol Beaumont said.

“I think all elected representatives need to show clearly how they will support the plan for an 11 hectare reserve and what they are doing to ensure the plan is co-ordinated and put in place.

“Local people will be protesting today and I know there is the real likelihood of legal action being initiated. I support these actions and I will continue to stand alongside the local community to achieve a just outcome,” Carol Beaumont said.