Clare
CURRAN
Communications and IT Spokesperson
8 February 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT
Adams’ dodgy deals cost Kiwis $400

Amy Adams is taking almost $400 right out of the pockets of Kiwi households with her delaying tactics on the Commerce Commission’s suggested price cuts, says Labour’s Communications and IT spokesperson Clare Curran.

“Amy Adams and John Key are yet again putting their private investor friends ahead of Kiwi families. This law review is a smokescreen cut in a smoke-filled room to save the Government from unethically overriding the Commerce Commission through legislation. Keeping copper prices artificially high only benefits Chorus’ profits.

“This is a legal mess and it’s Steven Joyce’s creation. Unfortunately it’s too much for Amy Adams to handle so she’s kicked the Commerce Commission can down the road for three years. That’s not fixing, that’s fudging.

“The truth is this review is overruling an independent regulator and it’s even more underhand than legislating. New law would be open to Parliament’s scrutiny, but no one will know what went on behind closed doors. The lengths this Government will go to to protect its elite investor allies are breath-taking. The only supporters are the Government, Crown Fibre Holdings and Chorus.

“The smokescreen delays the new price system for 33 months, which will cost Kiwi households at least $396 each. The savings to National’s investor friends will be far, far higher than that – their shares have already leapt by 11 per cent.

“With so many families struggling under National’s failing economy any monthly saving provides real help. But National won’t even give them that.

“The Commerce Commission’s draft ruling on broadband did not meet with the approval of John Key and Amy Adams. That’s because it proposed swinging cuts to Chorus charges that it’s estimated would reduce the average household’s bill by $12 a month.

“John Key needs to butt out and let the Commerce Commission get on with its ruling.”

© Scoop Media