Government threats over festering sore

The Minister responsible for Auckland has waded into the fight over Mt Eden being funded by ratepayers with threats. Obviously under direction from higher up, she has broken the ice and suggested Lancaster Park or whatever it is called these days is a viable option.

JB has called her bluff and said that for H1 to host the final in a stadium elsewhere than her own electorate is political suicide.

I'm telling you she won't do that. Auckland City is committed to the 2011 World Cup. We're committed to putting in a big chunk of money. We just want some fairness around this.

The minister further suggests there might be an out,

may also be counting on a change of heart by Auckland Regional Council about putting money toward the project, in the event that its chairmanship changes as a result of the weekend's local body elections.

Is she suggesting that the ARC should get a new chair that is more of a compliant pink hue? I thought the Auckland Robbery Company was elected on and of the same opinion, no money from ratepayers for the stadium. Covernment could only hope for this festering sore to be so easily fixed. Government, stay out of local body politics!

Bring the fight on! What with the bleating from a very lonely red dinosaur in the wilderness out west no longer going to be 'Lord Mare' and the government looking to get stuck in over matters local, the forthcoming days will be extremely entertaining.

Very surprised Judith is doing Trev's dirty work. Hello! Trev? Are you there?