http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00139.htm National adds another $30 million to asset sales bill Thursday, 8 August 2013, 10:38 am Press Release: Green Party 8 August 2013 National adds another $30 million to asset sales bill National has forked over $30 million of public money to Rio Tinto to clear the way for its plan to sell down more public electricity assets, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today. The National Government has announced today that it will pay Rio Tinto $30 million as part of the re-negotiation of the electricity contract between Meridian Energy and Rio Tinto for the Tiwai Point Aluminium smelter. Rio Tinto sought re-negotiation of its electricity contract with Meridian after the National Government announced its plan to sell shares in the publicly-owned power companies. The uncertainty over the future of the Tiwai Point smelter contract was a serious roadblock to the privatisation agenda. [....]