Editorial: The 'drivel' is all Mr Dunne's

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

New mayor Hamish McDouall's idea of government department's in Wellington damaged by the November 14 earthquake re-housing in Whanganui could attract a number of adjectives.

"Imaginative", "inspired", even "opportunistic" come to mind.

But "drivel" is not one that crossed my frontal lobe on reading of Mr McDouall's offer in the Chronicle two weeks ago.

That, however, is the unfortunate verdict of Minister of Internal Affairs Peter Dunne.
"Populist drivel" was, in fact, his reaction to various suggestions around de-centralising government away from the notoriously shaky capital.

Mr Dunne went on to characterise ideas such as the Whanganui mayor's as "bar-stool conversations" and "simplistic nostalgia".

Mr Dunne is, of course, wrong - and not just because shortly after he issued his blunt dismissal the Inland Revenue building in Wellington's Featherston Street was evacuated and numerous others have joined the list of "not very safe".

Re-housing government departments away from the capital would be a valuable fillip to the regions and, "in the digital age, the delivery of government services is much more nimble and customer-focused" (Mr Dunne's very own words). In other words, these services could operate from anywhere in New Zealand, including Whanganui where the taxpayer who funds them would see a benefit from cheaper rent and rates.

But you must remember that Mr Dunne is a Wellington MP, ensconced for 30-plus years in his enclave of Ohariu (formerly Ohariu-Belmont). Only those loyal voters in the Hutt Valley keep him in ministerial perks, for no one else is voting for United Future.

I don't recall a regional development policy coming from Mr Dunne or his party ... and I am not holding my breath.