Media Statement For immediate release Thursday, 12 June, 2003

Smith: Govt needs to be accountable for its Air NZ shares

United Future MP Murray Smith has called for the Government's role as a shareholder in private sector companies to be made accountable to Parliament through the select committee process.

Mr Smith, United Future's spokesman on state-owned enterprises, noted during a parliamentary debate on crown entities that despite the fact that the Government's investment in Air New Zealand and the plans it has for Tranz Rail involve significant expenditure, they are not subject to independent scrutiny by select committee because they are neither SOEs nor Crown companies.

"There are limited opportunities to debate such investments, and annual scrutiny by select committee would require the Government to justify its continued involvement in these companies.

"This would go some way towards easing fears that these industries were being re-nationalised by Labour," Mr Smith said.

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