5 August 2008 Media Statement

Is it Kiwi bank? Is it Working for Families? Or Both?

Bill English needs to clarify exactly what he was saying would 'eventually' go under a John Key government, Social Development Minister Ruth Dyson and SOEs Minister Trevor Mallard said today.

An audio recording from the National Party conference has been widely reported as revealing that Mr English would 'eventually' sell Kiwibank. Mr English has today apologised for suggesting he would sell the bank.

Late yesterday on bFM, Mr English said he had been in fact referring to Working for Families. This has led to confusion about what Mr English actually wants to scrap and why he apologised for promising to sell Kiwibank if he does not believe he did.

"This is getting a bit murky," the Ministers said.

"Which is it Mr English? Would you sell off Kiwibank or put Working for Families on the chopping block? And why are you having so much trouble sticking to one story? Either way, Mr English has contradicted his leader and revealed that National is not being honest about their real agenda.

"It is clear that National cannot be trusted to keep Kiwibank in Kiwi hands or to leave Working for Families support in tact."

95BFM broadcast
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0808/S00037.htm

ENDS

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