Editorial: Public has a right to know how money is spent

Andrew Austin, Editor of Hawke's Bay Today.

I reckon that if a referendum was held in Hawke's Bay to decide whether local councils should be allowed to exclude the public from parts of council meetings, the result would be a resounding no.

The public has a straightforward view on this issue - if ratepayers' money is being spent then we should know about it.

It is simply astounding how quickly councillors scurry behind locked doors to discuss things - anyone would think it was their own money they were spending.

Now, the argument these same councillors would trot out is that there are commercial sensitivities that require the public and media to be kept away.

Sure, that may apply in some (rare) circumstances, but I reckon many councils use it as an excuse to take them out of the glare of the public spotlight so that they can do whatever they like.

On our front page today we have a story about how the Hastings District Council voted "in secret" to grant a $50,000 job creation incentive to the Bay's largest water exporter, Miracle Water.

The council confirmed that as of this month, $12,500 had been paid to Miracle Water. Apparently grants are paid in instalments as a company reaches "pre-determined employment milestones".

Why on earth would the council think we the ratepayers would not be interested in knowing that any amount, even $12,500, has been given to a company that is getting our water free in the first place?

Matters like this need to be out in the open, because it is this sort of behaviour that makes ratepayer - or should I call them voters in the upcoming local elections - angry.

Please email me at editor@hbtoday.co.nz if you think Hawke's Bay Today should take a stand against this practise.

After all, we have a right to know.