Kiwis have 15 days left to stop asset sales

Labour Leader Phil Goff has stepped up his campaign against asset sales, saying Kiwis have 15 days left to stop the sales.

Phil Goff says his first act if he becomes Prime Minister will be to put a halt to National's planned sell-off.

"John Key has all but confirmed a second tranche of assets sales if National is re-elected," Phil Goff said.

"On TV3 last night he admitted that if the first round 'goes well' it was likely more would follow.

"John Key is not going to stop at selling off the four power companies and Air New Zealand.

"We know that National is eyeing up the sale of KiwiBank," Phil Goff said. "Bill English confirmed this in a secret recording three years ago and John Key has been unconvincing in his denials ever since.

"Earlier this week Bill English also signalled the announced sales were only a start. However he also suggested the state of the global economy could see possible delays in the sell-off.

"Yet just a day later Mr Key was adamant a new National Government would start the process as soon as possible.

"The Prime Minister is desperate to sell these assets to fill the fiscal hole his government has created." Phil Goff said.

"The market will read that desperation as 'mortgagee sale' and drive the sale price down.

"You end up with a fire sale. New Zealand will be poorer, bankers will be richer.

"We know Kiwis are strongly against selling these assets. Even National voters say they don't want them.

"John Key's reaction has been wholly dismissive," Phil Goff said. "He's got Australian investment bankers already lined up as advisers and he's spending the sale proceeds before the money even exists."

Authorised by Hon Phil Goff, MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

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