Success at Port of Auckland shows Mayoral flog off should be binned
The Maritime Union says the recent success of Port of Auckland in its financial and operational performance means the Mayoral privatisation agenda should be shelved.
A close vote to take port privatisation to consultation was held yesterday Wednesday 6 December at the Auckland Council Budget Committee and only passed narrowly.
11 councillors voted against including the proposal to either retain or privatise port operations in the budget consultation, while 9 councillors, 2 Māori statutory board members, and the mayor, supported its inclusion.
Maritime Union of New Zealand Auckland Branch Local 13 business agent Russell Mayn says there are obviously deep misgivings amongst councillors.
“The privatisation agenda has barely made it through to consultation, and this is a clear sign there is no enthusiasm for what the Mayor described yesterday as flogging off the port.”
Mr Mayn says he attended an award ceremony last night that saw Port of Auckland named winner of the Most Improved Performance category in the Deloitte Top 200 awards.
He says Port of Auckland has seen a major turnaround under new management and a large part of this was how the Union was now involved in decision making and planning.
“The Port is rapidly improving its performance, as even the Mayor has acknowledged. We have a successful, growing port that is delivering for Auckland, so why risk all this?”
Mr Mayn says the consultation process must include releasing any official advice on privatisation that has so far been kept hidden.
He says a large amount of money has already been spent on consultants and advice, and more ratepayers money would be spent promoting a proposal that will eventually fail.
“The more people learn about the downsides of losing control of our port to an outside operator, the less the idea makes sense.”
ENDS
