United Future could stop Air NZ sale - but won’t

National Party leader Bill English is challenging United Future to back its words with action over the proposed partial sale of Air New Zealand to Qantas.

“United Future is holding all the cards on this deal, it could simply withdraw support for the Government on confidence and supply issues,” he says.

“United Future leader Peter Dunne and his colleague Gordon Copeland have both voiced strong opposition to this sale, yet they continue to prop up the minority Labour Government,” Mr English says.

“Winston Peters and New Zealand First threatened to withdraw support for confidence and supply over the sale of Wellington Airport shares in 1998.

“Now surely United Future’s on solid ground to exercise its influence over the sale of an even bigger asset - our airline.

“But the reality is, United Future’s not that courageous,” Mr English says.

“Is it mere co-incidence that the day before the Government outlines its view on the sale that United Future’s Family Commission is unveiled?

“Is it also a mere coincidence that controversial OSH and Local Government legislation will move through the house this week with United Future’s support?

“It’s time for United Future to start showing its voters what the Party stands for, instead of saying one thing then doing another,” says Mr English.

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