Deputy Prime Minister's Action Supported

"Dr Michael Cullen's actions in unequivocally disassociating the government from suggestions of cronyism in business dealings are to be applauded", the chairman of the New Zealand Business Roundtable Dr Murray Horn said today.

"New Zealand has a justified reputation for clean and transparent business conduct – it is regularly rated as one of the world's least corrupt countries. This reputation must not be put at risk.

"On the facts available, those involved in promoting private-public partnerships would have been well advised to tread more carefully.

"Politics and business do not mix well. As other countries' experience has shown, so-called 'hands-on' or 'third way' policies, government ownership of businesses and regulatory regimes which give rise to side deals and kick-backs are a slippery slope. We do not need such developments in New Zealand", Dr Horn concluded.

© Scoop Media