Kiwirail Shipping Fiasco Suits Repeat Privatisation Plan

The Government is deliberately letting a bunch of “incompetent posers” run down KiwiRail so it can again be privatised for peanuts, claims New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters.

This follows the latest mishap on the leased Cook Strait ferry Stena Alegra, which is now tied up in Wellington with propeller problems. The ferry has been used to replace Aratere, which is in Singapore for repairs after one of its propellers dropped off.

Mr Peters says KiwiRail replaced one lemon with another and the problems are caused by KiwiRail management not having a clue about ships and shipping.

“The Government knows this and is doing nothing about it so it can again sell off KiwiRail to its mates just like it did in the nineties at a huge cost to taxpayers.

“Stena Alegra is a dud ship replacing a dud ship. It was due to take on another 10,000 litres of lubricating oil this weekend, which is a huge amount considering it already received 10,000 litres onFebruary 3, February 23, March 16 and April 7.

“Experienced waterfront staff are astounded by the amount of lubricant fuel used by Stena Alegra and they say it points to serious problems.

“We repeat our call for the Minister to step in and appoint some experienced and competent people to run KiwiRail’s ferry service before there is a tragedy on Cook Strait,” says Mr Peters.

ENDS

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