Chlöe Swarbrick’s pork barrel politics deserves criticism

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out the Green Party MP for Auckland Central, Chlöe Swarbrick, for engaging in pork-barrel politics in relation to her calls for regulation and subsidies for the Waiheke Island’s ferry services.

Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:

“Waiheke Island is home to some of the wealthiest communities in the country, and taxpayers and local ratepayers should not be forced so subsidise those who choose to live on an island away from the central city. This looks and smells like pork-barrel politics from a local MP reaching for handouts for her most well-off constituents.

“If the local MP is concerned about affordability of ferry services, she should focus on advocating for the removal of barriers to entry that make it difficult for new competitors begin to operations. Another, more cost-effective option would be to instead target the support at those on lower incomes such as community services card holders rather than a blanket subsidy that applies just as equally to luxury home owners.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve seen pork-barrel politics from Swarbrick. Her members bill to ban alcohol advertising in sport included a carve-out that would exclude the America’s Cup from having to abide by the new rules – an event that is conveniently held in her electorate.”