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July 04, 2024
The Government is asleep when it comes to reducing costs for whānau in our city.
Waatea Team
Posted On July 4, 2024
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It’s the beginning of July, which means National’s July 1 changes will hit the pockets of whānau for the first time – cost of living is not going to get any easier.
Prescription fees, higher rates, expensive public transport, increases to vehicle registration, additional lunches for tamariki are just some of the charges set to make things harder for those struggling in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown is playing revenge politics and whānau are going to foot the bill. It’s short sighted and unfair of the Government, particularly for our most vulnerable.
Minister Brown is failing on every measure – reducing congestion, addressing youth crime, climate resilience and cost of living. The lack of results begs the question – has this Minister given up on this portfolio? He refuses to stand up for whanau living in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
He’s also going to make things more expensive with additional road tolls and congestion charging over coming years. How is the average whānau expected to cope with these costs?
Minister Brown hasn’t taken any Auckland specific papers to Cabinet, the city wasn’t a priority during the first 100 days, and it is virtually MIA on quarterly to-do lists. We’ve seen nothing but Simeon Brown asking Aucklanders for more money for six months now, and broken promises on tax cuts.
The reality is that whānau in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland are tired of hearing about the cost-of-living crisis, and want it fixed. Adding new fees and payments, on top of rates and groceries is not the answer- they need immediate help.
Boasting about removing a fuel tax that saves whānau $2 per week while slapping on $50 vehicle registration as well as leaving a $1.2 billion hole in the city’s infrastructure fund is beyond ridiculous. We need to find a solution and have a Minister for Auckland that isn’t asleep at the wheel.
Radio Waatea and its board would like to advise that the opinions expressed in this article are those of Shanan Halbert. Before he was elected to Parliament in 2020, Shanan spent 15 years in education leadership and management at tertiary institutions improving access to higher learning for many young people, Māori and Pasifika. He grew up in Hawke’s Bay and has whakapapa to Iwi including Ngāti Whitikaupeka, Rongowhakaata and Ngāti Kahungunu.
