Posted on 6-8-2004

"No Spin" Mayoral Campaign For Auckland
Friday 6 August 2004

Open and honest communication is the theme for Chris Fletcher's Mayoral
campaign. This weekend, hoardings for her campaign go up around the city
under the banner "No Spin".

Chris Fletcher said that Aucklanders have been fed so many tall stories by
the current mayor, John Banks, that it is very difficult to discern the
truth any more. "There has been so much spin around what is really going
on in the city, no one knows what to believe."

She said the Mayor brags about Council's debt-free situation but doesn't
mention the sale of the Airport shares (which, if they were sold now,
would have realised at least a further $60 million). “Remember, this is
the same man who promised the electors in 2001 that the Eastern Motorway
would only cost $400 million and would start immediately under his
leadership - a project on which he staked his Mayoralty. “Nor does he
mention the commitment of $850 million for property acquisition just for
maintaining the designation for the Eastern Corridor,” she said. She
noted that this liability was required by statute to be shown in the
City's financial budget, but had not been. "Perhaps Banks’ arrogance
leaves him feeling he is above the law,” she said. “Now we know that this
project will cost well in excess of over $3 billion and is still many
years away by Banks' own admission,” Chris Fletcher said. “It’s a very
complex story he now spins us. His policy management is based on smoke and
mirrors, designed to confuse and mislead the public. This is just like his
2001 promises not to increase rates, nor use consultants, nor raise
remuneration.”

Chris Fletcher said that Banks had been “vague to the point of dizziness”
over the economic benefits of the planned V8 race for the city, with
figures ranging from $4 million to $40 million. “Likewise, the Eastern
motorway has never had a cost-benefit analysis. We're supposed to just
take his word for it that it's a good idea," she said. "There is a lot of
hard work to be done liasing with community and business leaders, as well
as local and central government, to resolve Auckland's major growth
challenges and transport gridlock, and putting into place Auckland’s
strategic vision, “First City of the Pacific," she said.

Chris Fletcher said divisive politics of either the right or the left are
“simply not going to cut it” any more. She will restore a unifying style
of leadership to get things done for Auckland by strengthening
relationships with ARC, other Auckland Councils and Central Government.
"It is time the people of Auckland were treated with dignity and respect,”
she said.

Chris Fletcher said she has a proven track record of bringing people and
organisations together to achieve results for the city. "It is time for
Banks and his band of greedy property developers and cronies to go. For
all of the spin, the only major projects to have been completed by this
Council were ones embarked upon by the previous Council. “I challenge him
to front up on the true status and real costs of the Eastern Motorway, for
a start. Then, he might explain his flip-flops on Britomart, rail and
public transport, consultants, rates increases and Council events. He has
no passion or vision for this city, only a desire for power and self
promotion.

“Auckland deserves better.”

Chris Fletcher predicted that, while Banks may have developers and the
roading lobby writing big cheques for a slick campaign, the people would
not be deceived twice. “This time, as incumbent, he cannot hide from the
hard questions,” she said. “I am looking forward to holding him to account
on his performance and offering real solutions to the people of Auckland."

Postcards with key policy initiatives will be delivered around the city
from next week.

Contact: Chris Fletcher, ph 631 5948 or 027-276 0013
Andrew Melville (media liaison) ph 021-360 075