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Hot Topic Hawke’s Bay
Hot Topic Hawke’s Bay
1 mins to read

Greens promise democracy and keeping public assets


The Green Party launch today included committment to returning Ecan to democracy, and public transport funding

Chris Hutching
Tue, 12 Aug 2014

Restoring democracy, funding public transport, and helping Christchurch City keep its assets were main planks of the Greens Party launch today.

The launch was appropriately held in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens visitor centre.

In addition to a rousing speech by leader Russell Norman, Christchurch spokeswoman Eugenie Sage talked about the issues most affecting Canterbury.

The Greens announced a $462 million investment in transport and establishing a single body called Christchurch Transport to take over the functions currently split between the city council and regional council.

A planned rugby stadium as part of the government’s earthquake rebuild blueprint would be placed on hold to remove any pressure on the city council to sell assets to fund it.

Environment Canterbury would be returned to full democratic elections in 2015; and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority’s emergency powers would be scrapped and power returned to the city council.

Ms Sage says three more years under National would see assets sales, increasing transport woes and lack of democracy.

She says National has had its turn and it is time for someone else to have a go.

Other initiatives include a $60 million investment in clean heating, and funding for planting the cleared red zone.

c.hutch@clear.net.nz

Chris Hutching
Tue, 12 Aug 2014
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Greens promise democracy and keeping public assets
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