Solid Energy spy debacle spotlights threat to democracy

The Alliance says the use of spies and private investigators on political groups by Solid Energy would end under full public and democratic control of electricity and other state owned assets.

The use of young people to infiltrate political groups by private investigators, who are linked to Solid Energy and other corporates, has been revealed by an investigative report in today's Sunday Star Times.

Alliance Party President Victor Billot says corporate interference in democracy has to be stopped for good.

"They are getting more aggressive and more arrogant, and comments from the Solid Energy CEO to the media on this issue illustrate that well."

He says some state owned corporations are acting like private fiefdoms, and are dominated by right-wing and anti-democratic values at the management level.

"The real problem is the corporate system that gives power and control to the type of person who believes they have the right to spy on and manipulate anyone or any group who disagrees with them."

He says the Alliance wants all electricity operated for the public good under democratic control, with a goal of providing affordable energy to all New Zealanders and developing sustainable and renewable sources.

"At the moment Solid Energy's efforts seem to be directed at using taxpayer's money to build a private police state."

He says the problem shows how any moves to address climate change by the Government are useless if public-owned energy corporations continue to operate under the current business model.
"This shows clearly that you cannot have environmental sustainability or even democratic debate unless we dump the corporate model in electricity and other state assets."

Mr Billot says the way the Labour Government deals with the issue will show whether they are more interested in the environment and democracy, or more interested in staying on side with corporate management.

ENDS

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