Happy Budget Day: Joyce Gets His Rocket

25 MAY 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Zealand taxpayer funding of the US rocket company, Rocket Lab, appears to have delivered its responsible Minister, Steven Joyce, a suitable present – a successful rocket launch – on the same day as Mr Joyce’s first budget.

Responding to confirmation from the company that a launch has been successful (see https://twitter.com/RocketLabUSA/status/867598469581504512), Jordan Williams, Executive Director of the Taxpayers’ Union, says: “In 2013, former National Party MP Aaron Gilmore was mocked about wanting New Zealand having a space agency. Now Steven Joyce’s corporate welfare has delivered just that.”

“What a wonderful tribute to Steven Joyce, that a company that even has ‘USA’ in its URL has delivered its first launch today. The company has received up to $25 million in corporate welfare under Mr Joyce and that figure doesn’t include the nearly $20 million allocated for a dedicated ‘space agency’ as part of MBIE.”

“Unlike Mr Joyce’s corporate welfare given to American film studio however, there is no guarantee that Kiwi taxpayers will see what they paid for. Release of film and pictures of the launch is in the sole discretion of Rocket Lab USA.”

“Most corporate welfare is for politicians to get photo opportunities. Maybe Rocket Lab’s timing was deliberate, with all Ministers of the Crown forced to be in Wellington for the budget.”

ENDS

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