Thursday 24 Oct 2002 Deborah Coddington Press Releases -- Governance & Constitution

ACT Commerce Spokesman Deborah Coddington has approached Green Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons with draft terms of reference for a Transport and Industrial Relations Committee inquiry into public-private partnerships.

"The Green Party holds the key to any inquiry going ahead.

"I have made it clear to Ms Fitzsimons that I do not want this inquiry to become a superficial side show. Both the Green Party and ACT New Zealand have publicly stated that the Ross Armstrong story raised important questions regarding the future of policy direction in New Zealand.

"This is one of the rare times that ACT New Zealand and the Green Party are in agreement. Both parties, though coming at the issue from different directions, have strong concerns regarding the manner in which the Government is developing policy over public-private partnerships.

"The mere fact that ACT New Zealand is putting party-political differences aside and reaching out to the Greens shows how far we have all come since MMP was introduced.

"I am aware that the Green Party is requesting direct answers to their questions from the Government, in the form of a confidential briefing. I hope that Ms Fitzsimons will agree with me that a Parliamentary inquiry would be far more transparent, honest and open, and most importantly it would mean that the public of New Zealand and not just the Green Party can receive answers to the legitimate questions that have been raised.

"To allow the Green Party the time they need to discuss the terms of reference, I intend to give notice at today's Committee meeting that I will request an inquiry at the next meeting in one week's time," Miss Coddington said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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