Joyce stacks the odds against Kiwis

Joyce stacks the odds against Kiwis

The National Government are so down on the idea of New Zealand manufacturing and kiwi involvement in the procurement of Kiwirail rolling stock that they are actively changing the rules so the odds are stacked up against Kiwi business, Labour Transport Spokesperson Darren Hughes said today.

“At the eleventh hour, KiwiRail decided to increase the short-list of prospective tenderers for a $500 million contract to build Auckland's electric trains doubling the number of interested parties and lessening the chances of a successful Kiwi bid.

“Steven Joyce’s latest move as Transport Minister has been described by the industry as ‘mind boggling’ especially when figures released today show manufacturing is at a 10 year low.*

“This bizarre move raises questions about the integrity of the tender process, the priorities of this government and the transparent nature of the Minister’s dealings.
“Increasingly we are facing erosion of economic sovereignty in New Zealand.

“A government must be prepared to support production investments in people, product, processes and plants.

“Why would the Minister set out to make it more difficult for Kiwi firms to win a contract that would inject $500 million into an industry and create jobs during a time where our country’s unemployment rates are at an all time high?

“It is a strange way to do business. Mr Joyce needs to explain why he is making it harder for Kiwi business to get ahead,” Darren Hughes said.

ENDS