Maori Party gives green light to asset sales
Parekura
HOROMIA
Spokesperson for Māori Affairs
6
March 2012
MEDIA STATEMENT
Maori Party gives green light to
asset sales
The Maori Party has caved into
National on asset sales and will have a lot of explaining to
do to New Zealanders once legislation is introduced this
week, says Labour’s Maori Affairs spokesperson Parekura
Horomia.
“Labour is strongly opposed to the Government’s plan to sell off 49% of our power companies. It is a short-sighted measure that will not address our economic problems or help reduce the growing gap between the rich and poor in New Zealand.
“There is no provision in the legislation guaranteeing that Kiwi ‘mums and dads’ or iwi will be at the front of the queue when it comes to buying shares in these assets. In fact, National seems more worried about looking after the interests of overseas investors.
“In terms of Section 9 of the SOEs Act, the Government is planning to transfer this clause to the Public Finance Act where the obligation will only apply to the 51% of shares owned by the Crown. There is no guarantee that the Government will give priority to its Treaty obligations within the expectations of the Public Finance Act.
"I find
it astonishing that the Minister of Maori Affairs justifies
his party’s position on that basis that iwi got what they
were asking for, yet iwi leaders from his own area do not
support that view.
"It's time for the Maori Party to
wake up and oppose asset sales because they will not deliver
any great gain to Māori. Holding onto our energy companies
makes much more sense because the dividends they pay can be
re-invested into areas like health, education, housing and
stimulating economic development where every New Zealander
benefits,” said Parekura
Horomia.
ENDS