The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is questioning
why, for the second time, Jacinda Ardern has appointed a
Crown-owned company Chief Executive to Chair her “Business
Advisory Council”, following her announcement that Mercury
CEO Fraser Whineray is set to replace Air New Zealand CEO
Christopher Luxton.
Air New Zealand is 52%
Government-owned. Mercury is 51.15% Government-owned.
“No wonder business confidence is through the floor.
The PM won't even pick a private business-head to chair her
Business Advisory Council.”
“The role of a
business council is to hold the Government’s feet to the
fire. These are professional and experienced individuals,
but how can someone who runs an organisation ultimately
owned by the Crown effectively politically advocate without
fear or favour? It is a ridiculous fiction.”
“The aim of the Council is to ‘provide high-level
free and frank advice on policies that directly affect
businesses', but this appointment suggests the whole
exercise is spin over
substance.”
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