Hon Jim Anderton

Member of Parliament for Wigram
Progressive Leader

7 April 2011 Media Statement

AMI bail-out: Government should sometimes get involved in profitable businesses too

The necessity for a government bail-out of AMI is a slap in the face for people who say government should have no role in the economy, Progressive Wigram MP Jim Anderton says.

“Just as with South Canterbury Finance, Air NZ, Kiwirail and Kiwibank - sometimes the government has no responsible choice but to get involved in the economy.

“The difference between me and the National party is that National only gets involved in catastrophes, while I think that if we are going to be there in the bad times, taxpayers should share in some of the good times too.” Jim Anderton said.

ENDS