4 March 2013

National show contempt for public with assets sales push

National’s plan to sell Mighty River Power before Kiwis can have their say in the asset sales referendum displays a contempt for the New Zealand public, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.

Prime Minister John Key today unveiled the Government's plans for the sale of Mighty River Power.

“The decision to push ahead with its asset sales agenda is part of an ideologically-driven agenda to sell our assets no matter what,” said Dr Norman.

“John Key is ignoring the wishes of those New Zealanders who overwhelmingly oppose asset sales – 400,000 of whom have taken the time to sign the Keep Our Assets petition.

“The Prime Minister is always willing to listen to the concerns of SkyCity Casino but seems unwilling to listen to millions of New Zealanders.

“Only 5% of Kiwis are expected to buy shares, with the vast majority of New Zealanders gaining nothing from the sale except the likelihood of higher power prices in the future.

“Listing on the Australian stock exchange shows the talk of ‘mum and dad’ Kiwi investors is also rubbish.

“There’s nothing in John Key’s asset sales plan that would stop shares from going offshore.

“In fact, Treasury advised the Government to facilitate foreign buyers to create ‘pricing tension’ – that is, force up the price for New Zealand investors.

“The bonus share ‘give away’ to those Kiwis able to afford buying shares could end up costing all taxpayers untold millions.

“This asset sales program is about a transfer of wealth from the public of New Zealand to private interests.

“The Government should wait for the wait for the referendum on asset sales and listen to the results,” Dr Norman said.

ENDS

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