Leo Molloy's Auckland mayoral bid: End light rail, 'park' climate change plan
Outspoken restaurateur Leo Molloy would end Aucklands light rail project , park efforts to address climate change , and make people who travel in cars the priority if elected as Aucklands mayor next year. The first declared newcomer to the October 2022 contest, Molloy describes himself as a great leader of men who would be fearless and accountable as mayor. Molloy also flagged moves towards a new downtown stadium, funded entirely by overseas backers with a view to building a 65,000 seat venue on Ngati Whatua land next to Spark Arena. In an interview with Stuff, Molloy said his conviction in April for breaching name suppression and naming Grace Millanes murderer , Jesse Kempson, in an online forum would probably enhance his reputation. READ MORE: * Grace Millane suppression breach: Leo Molloy appeals conviction and $15,000 fine * Phil Goff's second term as Auckland mayor could be his toughest political challenge yet * Auckland mayoral race: Tamihere would freeze rates and cut salaries I hold the moral high ground there. While technically I may have committed a criminal offence, my view is my actions were for the right reasons, the right causes, and all the feedback Ive had subsequent to that indicates that I have 99.9 per cent of the population on my side, he said. Molloy, who owns the waterfront bar and restaurant Headquarters , said he had discussed his plans with past mayors and past contenders and believes he is well-connected in the important voter bases in the south and west. I have broad appeal, the media may well like to paint a certain picture of Leo Molloy but its not indicative, he said. The real Leo Molloy will become transparent over the course of this campaign and people will like the appeal I have. On climate change and transport priorities, Molloy has a significantly different view on the plan Auckland Council has to halve carbon emissions by 2030 , and be carbon neutral by 2050. Climate change is real, no doubt about that we accept climate change but we park it, there are far more important issues to address, he said. Until we get China to toe the line we are wasting our time doing anything on greenhouse gas emissions, if you are doing it youre doing it for a feel good factor for you. We have pressing issues we have to address for the wellbeing of the city and ratepayers and climate change is not a priority its on the agenda, but its well down. Molloy said transport has to change , and he is interested in hydrogen technology for vehicles, but not in trying to shift motorists into cycling. Two per cent, two per cent let me say it one more time, two per cent of people in this town go to work on a cycle. In winter its probably a damn sight less, he said. I am pro-private car, 95 per cent of people in this town use a private car, 80 per cent on any given day go to work in a private car, they have rights too. We need to make provision for cyclists, of course we do, but just because you swim doesnt mean we owe you a swimming pool. Cyclists should be taken into consideration, but they are not going to hijack this town when I am mayor -the priority will be people who travel in cars. Molloy described himself a fan of the $4.4 billion City Rail Link project, but said he disapproves of the way the council managed the disruption to city centre businesses . However, he opposes the revived Light Rail project . The government project has just begun community consultation on the downtown to Mangere route, before a more detailed plan is unveiled next year. It is bizarre there is no business case for it, he said. Light rail will never happen in this town and will never happen in my lifetime. Mayor Phil Goff had advocated for a downtown stadium before taking office in 2016, but after spending $1 million on an initial feasibility study, has gone quiet on the issue . Molloy said he has begun discussion on a project with private funding and made contact with Ngati Whatua, whose land had previously been considered for a stadium. He said he would use an equity partner and equity capital from offshore for the 65,000-seat stadium. He said ratepayers will not pay a cent, but would not divulge further details. The restaurateur does not see himself as either centre left or centre right. He is a partner in the Buttabean Community Kitchen project in south Auckland , which produces low-cost meals for those in need. In summing up what he would bring to the mayoralty: Im bringing Leo Molloy, I do stuff, I talk, but I do, he said. Goff, who has held the mayoralty for two terms, is expected to announce his intentions at the start of 2022.