Binding Referenda Can’t Come Soon Enough

“A margin of one vote in the House of Representatives should not over rule the will of the people,” says Colin Craig, Leader of the Conservative Party.

“Binding referenda can’t come soon enough. In this country we’ve seen both the Labour Party, and then the National Party push ahead with legislation not supported by the people.”

“As New Zealanders we don’t want to sell our assets, we don’t want to lose our future income stream, and we certainly don’t want to be told that our vote in referenda is irrelevant.”

“Citizens Initiated Referenda (CIR), originally introduced by National, with the promise that government would be accountable, isn’t working in its current form.”

“Citizens Initiated Referenda must become binding,” says Mr Craig.

“Governments have shown absolute disregard for what the people of New Zealand want.”

“Helen Clarke said she wouldn’t be ruled by referenda, and John Key says don’t bother because he’s not listening either.”

“Either way it comes down to leaders considering themselves above the will of the people.”

“Leadership is also about taking the people with you. We’ve missed the point in New Zealand when leaders just blindly push ahead with their own agenda.”

“New Zealanders understand that selling income producing, strategic assets, is short term thinking, and not in the interests of the country.”

“The Conservative Party is opposed to the sale of these assets, as it defies business logic. For example Solid Energy returns over 22% on every dollar we have invested in it. It costs us approximately 4% to borrow that dollar. That’s an 18% profit on every dollar invested in Solid Energy.”

Instead of addressing ever increasing government expenditure and its inability to get better value for money for the taxpayer dollar, the National Party has instead decided to raid the chicken coop, and sell off tomorrow’s income. This is a decision I am certain we will live to regret” says Colin Craig.

ENDS

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