7 May 2013

Keep Our Assets coalition committed to stopping asset sales

The Keep Our Assets coalition will continue to collect petition signatures to force a referendum on asset sales.

The Clerk of the House of Representatives’ initial count, released today, shows that a remaining 16,500 valid signatures are required to trigger a referendum.

“The Keep Our Assets coalition is committed to finishing the job and forcing a referendum to stop the Government’s unpopular asset sales programme,” said Keep Our Assets coalition spokesperson Roy Reid.

“We have two months to collect the remaining signatures. History shows that most petitions require a second go to get across the line.

“Three out of the four previous citizens initiated referenda have had to go back to get more signatures after the initial count.

“Of those petitions that required more signatures, two of them needed more than ours, so we are happy there it is only a small number of signatures left to go and that on the second go the referendum will happen.

“The asset sales are still unpopular and economically foolish. The collapse of Solid Energy’s value and the Government’s willingness to push ahead with the sale of Mighty River Power regardless of market conditions shows the Government isn’t listening.

“The Government needs to pause the asset sales programme and allow the referendum process to conclude,” said Roy Reid.

ENDS

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