"Dunedin City Council’s vote to support sanctions on Israel is pointless virtue signalling that oversteps the council's mandate," says ACT MP Simon Court.
"Foreign affairs is the domain of central government, not the town hall. Every moment they spend grandstanding over foreign issues pushes back the council agenda and distracts from core responsibilities.
"Spare a thought for poor Dunedin ratepayers, who face double-digit rate hikes while their councillors cosplay as Amnesty International. The idea that anyone in Jerusalem or Janin would take notice of the idle vapourings of councillors in Dunedin is laughable.
"ACT is currently campaigning to get councils back to basics: well-managed infrastructure, reliable local services, and affordable rates.
"In 2019, Dunedin City Council tried to change the weather by declaring a climate emergency. I predict their attempt to broker peace in the Middle East will be just as successful."
Editor's note: For the first time, ACT will stand candidates in October's council elections in territories up and down the country. ACT's plans for Dunedin are to be confirmed in the coming days.