Ron Mark MP
New Zealand First Deputy Leader

29 NOVEMBER 2016

NATIONAL PROVES ITSELF WRONG ON PRIVATISATION

The Prime Minister claims constructing a new parliamentary building ‘makes sense long term for us to own those premises’, but he has not applied that logic to state houses and power companies which he’s sold off, says New Zealand First.

“Mr Key has lauded privatisation for the past eight years, but he’s admitted that’s failed by approving a new building at Parliament to replace rented offices,” says New Zealand First Deputy Leader Ron Mark.

“When questioned in Parliament today, Mr Key said the building plan makes ‘economic sense’ but it was hardly good economic management when National allowed Bowen House, which is rented for parliamentary offices, to be privatised in the first place.

“In fact, allowing Bowen House to be sold in the 1990s and paying more than $5 million in rent for 25 years is foolish.

“Enough taxpayers’ money has been wasted. Now is not the time for wasteful spending on new offices for MPs - there are too many anyway. With only a hundred MPs instead of 121 a building that could balloon to costing over $200 million would not be required.

“New Zealand First is the only party opposed to this grandiose plan,” says Mr Mark.

ENDS

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