Jim Anderton Spends $80m to Mow Down Small Business

Thursday 27 Jun 2002 Rodney Hide Press Releases -- Economy

ACT Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide said today that Jim Anderton should take personal responsibility for the state of Kiwibank and NZ Post franchises.

"The small business owners that make up NZ Post's franchise network are being hammered, all because of Jim Anderton's dopey Kiwibank promise last election.

"Despite assurances to the contrary, NZ Post is bullying franchisees to take on the flawed Kiwibank and is threatening to terminate franchise agreements if they refuse.

"Yesterday, NZ Post without reason terminated Keith Elliott's franchise agreement, costing him $100,000. Mr Elliot runs Elliott's Pharmacy and has run a Post Shop for NZ Post for four years. He did not want to take on the Kiwibank.

NZ Post CEO Elmar Tomie told the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on 6 March this year that no franchisee would lose their franchise for saying no to the Kiwibank

"But yesterday NZ Post wrote to Mr Elliott and said they were terminating his franchise with one's month notice. They gave no reason for termination. The message to all other franchisees is clear: accept the Kiwibank or else!

"Jim Anderton is pursuing his madcap Kiwibank without regard to cost or consequence. Successful businesses are being mowed, all to satisfy Jim Anderton's ego. It's well past time that NZ Post stopped the bullying. It's well past time that Jim Anderton for once took responsibility for what he is doing.

"ACT New Zealand has opposed the Kiwibank from the very start. We say it's a waste of taxpayer's money to spend on a new bank when New Zealanders aren't safe from violent crime in existing banks. The key function of Government is to protect citizens at work, in the streets, and in our homes - not running another bank.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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