Surely the lack of specific functions the new super city boards will play is anti-democratic. The precedents for stipulated powers go back about 800 years! Magna Carta! Put it in writing!
An ATA adviser, Grant Taylor, has told a parliamentary select committee on Friday that legislation for the council is short on specifics on board powers and much will depend on the individuals elected.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission says the latest super-city legislation is being crafted too speedily and is making a mockery of democracy.
For those with a thin understanding of 1215 – we found this “King John and the Magan Carta for Kids”:
“John continued to fight with everyone and lose: first with the Pope, and then when he tried to get his land in France back. By 1215 the English lords had had enough of this loser, and they got together an army and marched on London. John was forced to sign the paper they put in front of him, which is known as the Magna Carta. (Magna Carta means “Great Letter” in Latin). This letter wrote down two new ideas. The first was that the king had to obey the law, like other people. And the second idea was that if the king broke the law, the lords had the right to remove that king and choose a new one. The lords formed the council of the king, and that council could stop the king from doing things if the council thought they were wrong. In particular, the king could not collect new taxes unless the council said it was okay.”
King John died the next year, in 1216.
Related posts:
- Mayor Williams: Super City Boards – glorified neighbourhood watch groups!
- Super city: fears of proper representation on shore
- Rodney Hide plans $1 million Auckland “Super City Show”
- Public conference/debate – super city – Hide/Mayors/Bennett
- Make third Auckland council bill public says North Shore Mayor
