9. STEVE CHADWICK (Labour—Rotorua) Link to this
to the Minister of Local Government
Has he received any reports on the response to the Government’s newly expanded rates rebate scheme?
Hon MARK BURTON (Minister of Local Government) Link to this
Yes. I have been advised that as at 1 September, rates rebates totalling over $10.8 million have been approved for 23,855 New Zealand households. This compares with just 4,200 households that received a rebate for the whole of the 2005-06 year.
Yes, indeed I have. I have seen the comment of the president of Local Government New Zealand, made in April 2005, that Local Government New Zealand is thrilled with the change. I have also seen a report from a Coromandel pensioner, Pat Williams, that the rates rebate offer was welcome. He said: “I am happy. I received the full $500 rebate. It’s a good thing.” He is absolutely correct.
John CarterIs the Minister aware that the costs he and the Helen Clark Labour Government have loaded on to local government ratepayers are conservatively estimated to be at least $500 million—10 times the amount he intends to give in rates rebates?
I am aware that the member keeps repeating things that, outside this House, I would describe with a three-letter word—but I cannot here, so I will not. That member is the member who constantly repeats that 67 pieces of legislation have been imposed that impose costs. Well, I can tell the House that of those 67 pieces of legislation, 26 have been shown to impose zero cost on local government, and 28 of them were introduced in part or in whole because local government had asked for them. This Government has contributed $661 million in the last 12 months. It is the biggest-growing contributor to local government coffers, bar none.
Peter BrownIs the Minister aware of any reports, formal or otherwise, from local government on an independent rates inquiry that has been set up as a result of New Zealand First’s initiative?