Thursday, 31 August 2006

Disappointment at National's opposition to KiwiSaver

United Future's finance spokesperson, Gordon Copeland, today expressed his disappointment that National's John Key has signalled that, if elected to the Treasury benches, National gives no guarantee in relation to the continuance of KiwiSaver.

"It became clear to me during the committee stage of the KiwiSaver Bill that National was preparing to vote against," said Mr Copeland.

"This came as a surprise since the Finance and Expenditure select committee's report back to the House on KiwiSaver was adopted unanimously and there was no minority report from the National Party.

"I'm very disappointed that National have both voted against the Bill and that Mr Key has stated in the House that there is no guarantee of its continuance under a National-led government.

"In my view that is the last message that potential KiwiSaver's need to hear at this juncture.

"I sincerely hope that National is not repositioning itself to act as Robert Muldoon did in 1975 when he won the election on a promise to immediately scrub the fledging New Zealand Superannuation fund.

"I regard Muldoon's decision as one of the worst made by any New Zealand government during my life time and I desperately hope we are not going to see history repeat itself in that regard.

"KiwiSaver must not be allowed to become a political football and I call on National leader Don Brash to urgently clarify his party's position.

"United Future has made it clear that it will support enhancements to KiwiSaver should National become the government in 2008, but we are fully committed to KiwiSaver," said Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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