30 August 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Doug Owens to Stand for Parliament

Doug Owens, a Tauranga based businessman and Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor, has today announced his intention to stand as an independent in the next general election.

Mr Owens said “I am standing for Parliament as I cannot see any a sustainable vision for New Zealand put forward by any of the current political parties."

“The National Party’s determination to sell top performing publically owned energy companies is a catalyst for making this announcement now”.

“John Key is claiming a false mandate to sell assets, as his claim certainly does not enable him or his Government, to trash the Treaty of Waitangi and the environment."

“It cannot be left to the Maori Council to champion the legal case for stopping the sale."

“Strong voices are needed to support Grey Power’s petition for a referendum – they have already secured 210,000 signatures – two thirds of the number needed to force a referendum."

“I am publically supporting both these campaigns, including making a financial contribution to each.

These campaigns are not opposed to each other. The Maori claimants are interested in their proven proprietary rights in specific areas and they are not advocates of the Government selling the shares in the proposed power generation floats."

“I believe in putting my money where my mouth is. My family has benefited from the opportunity to operate businesses based in Tauranga and I am determined to make a contribution back to my community and ensure that the Bay of Plenty Region moves forward with all of its communities."

“I am running for Parliament as I am opposed to the Government’s intention to sell off state assets, privatise water generally and nobble the protections provided by Regional Councils. The public needs a strong voice against the National Party’s Local Government Reform Agenda, which currently makes no sense to the majority of New Zealand’s Councils”.

“I believe New Zealand can look forward to a positive era of consensus politics, and I am asking the people of Tauranga to support me, as their advocate.

ENDS

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