Tuesday, October 02, 2012



Taxation without representation

Last month we learned that the government planned to cancel elections for ECan in 2013, and extend the Canterbury dictatorship until 2016. Now, to add insult to injury, we also learn that the dictators have got themselves a hefty pay rise:

ECan commissioners have received a 9.3 per cent annual salary increase across the board, but David Caygill’s has more than doubled.

Figures to be released in the regional council’s annual report show that Mr Caygill received a salary of $169,567 for the 2011-12 financial year -an increase, as his salary was $83,589 for the 2010-11 year.

Mr Caygill is deputy commissioner and in charge of the water portfolio.

The increase meant he received a higher salary than commissioner chairwoman Dame Margaret Bazley, whose salary dropped to $168,470 over the last financial year, after receiving $191,848 in the 2010-11 period.

Other commissioners to receive an increase were Donald Couch ($106,850 in 2010-11 to $131,581 in 2011-12), Rex Williams ($71,521 in 2010-11 to $87,599 in 2011-12) and David Bedford ($136,652 to $149,469 in 2011-12).


Canterbury ratepayers are paying for these unelected parasites. They should refuse to do so until democracy is restored.