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‘Loss of rights’ worry

Concern was expressed by the Local Government Association in Christchurch yesterday about "the loss of existing democratic rights” through provisions in the Local Government Amendment Bill before Parliament. The association adopted a resolution outlining those concerns. The resolution was drafted by Mr Pat Fouhy, chairman of Pahiatua

County. The resolution notes that citizens will have “no status, no voice, no vote and no appeal rights on local government reform” if the bill becomes law. . It describes the use of Order-in-Council procedures, provided for in the bill, as “repugnant and objectionable and a wrongful use of executive power.”

If the bill was enacted the “principles of open government will be abandoned” and decisions affecting local government constitutional matters “will be made in secret by the Cabinet,” it said. “Such a law will abolish the rights of citizens to challenge decisions in the High Court on points of, law and seek redress when natural justice has been breached.”

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19880617.2.31

Bibliographic details

Press, 17 June 1988, Page 3

Word Count
160

‘Loss of rights’ worry Press, 17 June 1988, Page 3

‘Loss of rights’ worry Press, 17 June 1988, Page 3