Gordon Copeland Press Release
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, 5th March 2008

Allow Canadians to buy 20% of Auckland Airport

Independent MP Gordon Copeland, the Kiwi Party’s spokesperson on business and finance, today came out in support of allowing a 20% sale of the Auckland Airport sales to the Canadian Pension Fund.

“The strategic asset argument put forward by the Government in relation to the airport has some merit,” said Mr Copeland. “However if the sale is limited to 20%, control and majority ownership will remain in the hands of New Zealanders and that surely is the important point.”

“A 20% sale would also mitigate the understandable disappointment of the many shareholders who have decided to sell their shares and take the attractive price on offer, whilst signalling to the international investment community that New Zealand is prepared to adopt a commonsense position.”

“In other words we avoid the stark choice between a 40% sell down or nothing at all. With that in mind, I urge Ministers Mallard and Parker to avoid an ‘all or nothing’ approach to this issue.”

ENDS

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