Rates

Rodney Hide deserves much credit for Parliament now turning its attention to rates. Even if his bill fails tonight, it has been the catalyst for action.

Also well done to the Greens and National who agreed on terms for a select committee inquiry.

I for one intend to put a submission in on the issue. In summary I intend to push for:

* Rates to be abolished and replaced with a mixture of local income taxes (for public good services) and user pay charges (for private good services)
* A requirement for binding three year financial plans, matching electoral cycles.
* More effective consultation on changes to rates/charges/local taxes.