Government going to court over asset sales

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Govt going to court over asset sales

3News NZ

The Government is going ahead with selling its assets (file)

The Government is going ahead with selling its assets (file)

By Brook Sabin

The Government looks set to head to court over state asset sales after refusing to offer Maori any special shareholding to recognise water rights.

It follows a series of nationwide hui where the idea of 'shares plus' was debated, but the Government says that's not happening.

A total of six hui were held around the country. At the first, only 15 people attended.

Now the Government says it has consulted, meaningfully, and made its decision.

“The Government will not implement the Waitangi Tribunal's shares plus concept or engage in further negotiations,” Prime Minister John Key says.

So shares plus – giving Maori more rights than other shareholders – is out. However, Mr Key said all along the idea was unacceptable and now the challenge is being thrown out.

“If you want to stop the SOE being put out for sale, now's the time for action,” Mr Key says.

The Maori Council is furious at the decision.

“[We’re] disappointed, but not surprised,” co-chairman Sir Eddie Durie says. “It's been heading this way for a long time.”

The council now needs to raise more than $300,000 for court action.

Consulting with Maori has strengthened the Government's legal position and court action now appears inevitable. The Maori Council will meet in the morning to discuss.

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Comments

16/10/2012 10:23:38 a.m.

Mal wrote:

This is John Key and mates, retirement income

16/10/2012 8:15:46 a.m.

Seannachie wrote:

In addition to being held accountable for ignoring Maori Water Rights this government also needs to be held accountable for the economic impacts that privatisation of power companies will have on power prices. Privatisation changes the focus of our power companies away from the provision of reasonably priced power to showing good profits for shareholders at our expense. So in order to offset a $16 billion tax cut for the top 10% of income earners we are being asked to pay more for our power as well as to allow that top 10% to rip us off further in high dividend yielding power shares. Great stuff. Time to put an end to asset sales and to remove the unaffordable tax cuts for the rich.

16/10/2012 7:24:04 a.m.

alison wrote:

Oh well I guess they have the money now that 4 bill has miraculously arrived from the public not taking up the leaky homes shambles money. It would be really interesting to see the govts open books at present. I hear jk is very confident on the news so wondering what deals he has made this time.

16/10/2012 1:07:56 a.m.

jan.. wrote:

The Maori council can always sue for the court costs when time is ripe, Key is nothing but a scaregrow that went beyond the law but picking on the water rights is not a solution to his criminal act. Give the Key no satisfactory with his command on the water rights as these matters can be put forward to a later date with the court order. 'Why is this scaregrow in such hurry?.