LAST CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN SUPER CITY DEBATE

The Third Super-City Bill has now been tabled in the House of Representatives and will be debated through its final stages during Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 1-3 June 2010 from 3.30-6pm and 7.30-10pm. You can watch or listen to the debates live here:
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/AboutParl/SeeHear/PTV/

If you would like to influence the outcome of the debate and the future of Auckland you can contact the MPs for Auckland during the debate and tell them your views or request that they make statements or ask questions on your behalf. Their contact details are below. They will all have their Blackberries with them in the House, so they can receive your emails as the debate progresses.

Their details are listed on the Our Auckland website at:
http://www.ourauckland.org.nz/the-campaign/contact-auckland-mps/

The main issues you might want to raise with them are:
# The creation of 7 Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) to run Transport, Water, Major Regional Facilities, The Waterfront Development Agency, Property Holdings, Tourism and Events, Growth and Development in advance of the Mayor and Council being elected.
# The Government appointed Board members of these CCOs.
# The fact that elected representatives will not be allowed to sit on the boards of CCOs.
# The lack of democratic accountability of these CCOs (a quarterly report is not sufficient).
# The lack of decision and bylaw making powers of Local Boards (CCOs can do both these things).
# The fact that the powers and roles of Local Boards are not enshrined in the legislation as promised.
# The lack of meaningful representation for Maori.
# The lack of permanent advisory panels for Pacific and Ethnic Peoples.
# The lack of representation for Youth, the Elderly and the Disabled.

This is our very last chance to participate in democratic debate around the future for our city - have your say!

Labour MP Phil Twyford will be tabling an amendment to the Bill which removes the Waterfront Development Agency, Transport CCO, and Water CCO and makes it explicit that the Auckland Council shall be able to determine what to do with each CCO once elected - you may want to support his stance and tell the Government MPs that you do and ask them to vote for it.