The Taxpayers’ Union is questioning why Upper Hutt City Council is trumpeting a $36,000 economic grant to listed company BurgerFuel to establish a BurgerFuel in Upper Hutt.

According to Taxpayers’ Union CEO, Jordan Williams, this is possibly the most ridiculous example of corporate welfare the union has yet seen.  “You work hard, you pay your rates, and Upper Hutt City spends it on a burger joint.

“Sucking money out of a community to spend it on a favoured business isn’t economic development, it’s robbing the poor to pay the rich. Money that would have been spent by citizens has been funnelled into the pockets of BurgerFuel investors.

“Ratepayers will be absolutely gobsmacked that the council’s economic development strategy is ratepayer funded handouts to takeaway parlours. We call on the Mayor to front up and explain how this is possibly a good use of Upper Hutt ratepayers’ precious money.

“Even BurgerFuel can’t believe its luck. Its Australasia head has told ratepayers that this is the first time the company has worked with a council.”