On the increase

Library fines at Wellington library are going up from 1 November.

Announced only a week or two after the local body election was completed.

Why was this not disclosed by councilors during the elections? People should have been advised so they could have made an informed vote.  Because it was clearly signed off before the elections?

Another revenue gathering initiative? Or have the non-returns of books and DVDs been on the increase?

No. Apparently they have gone up “due to the increase in GST”.

Adult book fine goes up from $0.60 to $0.80 per day (33% increase).

Child and young adult dvd fines go up from $0.50 to $0.80 per day (60% increase).

And I thought GST only went up 2.5% from 1 October?

Why are the increases so high? Surely the smallest coin increase that could have been adopted was 10 cents, not 20 cents.

I think blaming this increase on GST might also be illegal?