Phil Twyford

Wellington, March 12 NZPA - The report of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance should be publicly released as soon as possible, Labour's Auckland issues spokesman Phil Twyford said today.

Mr Twyford said he understood the Government was considering whether to release the report quickly or hold on to it while it formulates its own proposals.

"In the interests of informed public debate, the Government needs to release the report as soon as possible after it is delivered to the Governor-General on March 31," Mr Twyford said today.

Labour understands that Local Government Minister Rodney Hide wanted to prepare a response to the report before releasing it, while Prime Minister John Key was leaning towards early release.

"The Government may be tempted to release its own proposals simultaneously with the report, but that would have the effect of steering media coverage and public debate away from the commission's findings and toward the Government's own plans."

Mr Twyford said there was precedent for early release of the Royal Commission report.

The Royal Commission on the Electoral System in 1986 was released to the public after three working days and the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification in 2001 was released after one working day.

The inquiry is looking into the local body arrangements for Auckland and was set up under the last government.

There has been speculation that it may call for a "super council" for the wider Auckland region.

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