It is up to the Minister of Energy to assure the public that there will be adequate electricity supply for households and businesses this winter, National's Energy spokesperson Pansy Wong said today.

"It is an urgent priority that the public be given the confidence in the integrity of the electricity market.

"Price hikes, elderly left in the cold, low South Island hydro lake levels, market dominance of state-owned generators, and finger pointing within the industry are all leading to the public's sense of helplessness and undermining confidence.

Mrs Wong said it's time for Pete Hodgson to exercise leadership rather than continuing to act as a bystander.

"The Market Surveillance Panel Inquiry called by On Energy is unlikely to unravel any serious breaches. While no one's doubting its expertise, its terms of reference will only ensure that operators follow the rules. The panel can not assure the public that electricity will be available.

"The seriousness of the electricity price hikes and supply for this winter must be acknowledged by the Minister, rather than brushed off. Let's not forget that warmer spring weather is three months away.

"The Minister can not shelve responsibility by relying on improving weather forecasts. He must act now," Pansy Wong said

Ends

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>