18 June 2014

Key used Banks’ vote to sell our assets

The Key Government has been able to sell our assets, make life worse for New Zealand workers, and weaken our environmental laws due to John Banks’ sole, discredited vote, Green Party open government spokesperson Holly Walker said today.

During the current Parliament, thirteen bills have passed with a single vote majority thanks to John Banks, including legislation that allowed the sale of our state-owned assets, legislation that cut young workers’ pay rates, and laws undermining the protection and preservation of our conservation estate.

“John Key has repeatedly relied on the vote of someone, who has been found guilty of a dishonesty offence, to pass controversial legislation that most New Zealanders oppose,” said Ms Walker.

“Our state-owned assets would still be owned by all New Zealanders but for John Banks’ vote.

“Even when accusations against Mr Banks were made public, and eventually led to a prosecution, John Key looked the other way in order to progress his legislative programme.

“The Prime Minister happily allowed John Banks to stand down as a Minister and continued to use his vote even after a judge ordered him to stand trial over alleged electoral fraud.

“The Government even used John Banks’ vote to help pass the SkyCity legislation, despite the fact SkyCity was involved in Mr Banks’ court case.

“The fact that Parliament has ended up passing thirteen controversial bills on the strength of the vote of someone who has since been found guilty of a dishonesty offence highlights the need for greater controls around political donations,” said Ms Walker.

“The Green Party have long been the champions of open government and transparency.

“Real democracy should be a battle of ideas not money. We need to know clearly, and in a timely manner, who is funding our politicians.

"The Green Party has proposed legislation that would clean up confusion over local government donations.

“Our bill will introduce caps on donations, limit the use of anonymous donations and regulate third party spending, giving New Zealanders the transparency they deserve,” Ms Walker said.

"If the public is to have faith in central and local government, it's vital that we keep our politics clean and honest."

Link to local electoral finance amendment bill: https://www.greens.org.nz/bills/local-electoral-finance-amendment-bill

ENDS

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