Andrew Williams MP
Spokesperson for Energy

28 February 2013

Government Has No Plans to Stop Electricity Price Gouging

New Zealand First says National has no plans to halt the escalation of electricity prices which are destined to increase at a faster rate once the Government starts selling off its state-owned power companies.

Energy spokesperson Andrew Williams says household are in for a double-whammy attack from National that will see their electricity bills skyrocket.

“Once private investors have got their hands on our power companies then New Zealanders had better look out because electricity prices will go through the roof.

“But the news gets worse.

“National has removed the social responsibility clause under its seriously flawed Mixed Ownership Model programme to flog off our power companies.

“With no legislative requirement in place for social responsibility, the new owners of our power companies will have the green light to gouge electricity prices to the max.”

Mr Williams says the evasive answers today in Parliament from Gerry Brownlee, on behalf of Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges, should set alarm bells ringing.

“Research shows that New Zealand power prices have escalated far more rapidly than in the US, UK, Japan, France and South Korea.

“The Government’s asset sales programme will ensure this sad situation continues well into the future.”

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>