"It was probably always inevitable that New Zealand First's negotiations with Max Bradford would collapse in acrimony," Labour energy spokesperson Pete Hodgson said today.

"Mr Bradford's arrogance makes him impossible to negotiate with. His record in the electricity sector is a litany of failure yet still be believes he has a franchise on wisdom. Everyone is marching out of step except our Max.

"The victims are the ordinary New Zealanders who are paying higher power prices but not even this has unsettled Mr Bradford's eerie self-confidence," Mr Hodgson said.

"He continues to blame the line companies alone for the power price rises although this is contrary to commonsense and to the facts.

"Labour succeeded in introducing a little reality into Mr Bradford's price control legislation in the form of amendments which would enable the Government and the Commerce Commission to crack down on anti-competitive practices at the retail end of the market and will continue to support those provisions in the House.

"And we remain adamant that some form of price restraint will be needed on the line companies after the current voluntary price freeze is over. But we will oppose the line company part of the bill because it cannot work.

"It will end up in court and it will stay there while electricity consumers pay lawyers to fight. Any regulatory regime that Labour contemplates will be based on good information and good process. Mr Bradford's panicky approach offers neither.

"This issue needs good government. It will not be solved through quick government and it certainly won't be solved through arrogant government."

© Scoop Media