Hon Jim Anderton

Member of Parliament for Wigram
Progressive Leader

Grey Power leadership goes out on a limb

27 May 2010 Media Statement

“Has the leadership of Grey Power bothered to tell its members that it supports the sale and /or privatisation of Kiwibank?” says Jim Anderton MP for Wigram.

“I have been contacted by Grey Power branches across New Zealand who are outraged at the National government’s plans to sell Kiwibank.

“Some have even passed resolutions in their branches to show their opposition to the sale. One correspondent told me “the Government is certainly buying a fight with those of us who bank with ‘our bank’”.

“This is the generation who suffered the most when the Australian banks withdrew branches from small communities. Many of them are foundation members of Kiwibank and feel a fierce loyalty to the bank that came to their towns and opened new branches.

“But that hasn’t stopped the leadership of Grey Power putting out a press release today to say that it supports a sale or part privatisation of Kiwibank.

“Are they so out of touch with their own members, and so in touch with the National party that they would think this is a representative view?

“Judging on their ability to return my letters, I’m guessing they’re not very good at keeping in touch with their own members.”

Jim Anderton has tried on occasions to contact the leaders of Grey Power to discuss issues that affect their members, but has not had a reply.

“To make it simpler for them to contact me, here are my phone numbers: 04 817 9591
or 03 365 6173
Here are my addresses: Parliament Buildings, Wellington or 296 Selwyn St, Christchurch.

“I look forward to hearing from them. In the meantime, I would encourage Grey Power members to keep contacting me. Let me know what you think about the sale of Kiwibank and other national assets like power companies, Air New Zealand and rail,” says Jim Anderton.

ENDS

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