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Greens accuse Govt of asset sales blunders

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Greens accuse Govt of asset sales blunders

3News NZ

John Key and Russel Norman

John Key and Russel Norman

The Greens have issued a 14-point asset sales "blunder list" as opposition parties increase pressure on the Government to scrap its partial privatisation programme.

Monday's decision to delay the Mighty River Power share sale until March next year has given opponents new opportunities to claim the sales programme is off the rails.

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says there has been a series of mismanaged crises.

"The asset sales programme has lurched from blunder to blunder while National has neglected the economy and failed to create jobs," he said on Thursday.

The party's "blunder list" is a collection of Government statements explaining why it needs to partially privatise four state-owned energy companies, statements the Greens say have been "comprehensively disproved".

Labour leader David Shearer says Prime Minister John Key's credibility is riding on selling 49 percent of the shares in the companies and raising between $5 billion and $7 billion.

"The uncertainty around the asset sales is increasing the risk that they will be sold at rock bottom prices," he said.

"What is the Government going to do now, borrow more money?"

Ministers are heading into five weeks of discussions with iwi over water rights after announcing the Mighty River Power share float won't go ahead in November, as originally planned.

Mr Key says he wants "clarity and certainty" around Maori claims that their rights will be compromised.

The Maori Council, which sought the delay, has welcomed it but says it is keeping its legal options open.

It would have sought a High Court injunction if the government had insisted on the November deadline.

The Maori King is calling on all Maori across New Zealand to join forces to protect what he says are their rights and interests.

King Tuheitia is to hold a hui at Turangawaewae marae next week to discuss the Government's response to the Waitangi Tribunal report on water rights.

"The king is being very clear – this is the most important issue to face Maori," says Kingitanga spokesman Tuku Morgan.

"The invitation is open to all our people who want to talk in a constructive way about protecting the rights and interests of our people."

The hui will also address the consequences of the proposed sale of state-owned assets.

NZN / RadioLIVE

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Comments

6/09/2012 9:43:43 a.m.

Gary wrote:

EDDIE you say "it makes sense to put the sales off till the rulings are sorted and the price picks up more money for the shares" so you must agree with Maori then that it was not good to sell when JK was going to sell as that would make NO sense at all. It would be worse for NZ and less money? The simple truth is it is very bad for NZ to sell assets, especially at this economic gloomy time.

6/09/2012 1:42:52 a.m.

Dan wrote:

Why the hell are we still taking the greens seriously?

5/09/2012 9:24:18 p.m.

Moera wrote:

@EDDIE Choose to ignore the obvious,why don't you? J.Key didn't sell the assets this time round because Maori had put the 'spanner in J.Key collective works'. J.Key would've gone ahead with the sales irrespective of how bad the market was. Even waging his own politcal propaganda war by having an economist on t.v state that now was the time to sell. He was only looking for a quickie sale. To privatise SOA is to sell total control of NZ's vital infrastructure to a company who doesn't have kiwi interests at heart. J.Key will continue to encounter Maori barriers as this is the only thing that's keeping NZ secure. The problem with J.Key is that he will find himself backed into a political corner he can't get out of. Maori are refusing to be dealt with as a 'singular' iwi and for good reason and I hope they make their stand as a 'co-operative' force. Tides are changing and I hope this sill see an end to J.Key bullshit

5/09/2012 3:29:57 p.m.

john wrote:

i love Al's comment.

5/09/2012 12:53:01 p.m.

eddie wrote:

"It must make Eddie cry on the inside" ABSOLUTELY not DAVID, it makes sense to put the sales off till the rulings are sorted and the price picks up (more money for the shares, more interest in them with no Maori claims surrounding the sale)...and Key will still be popular and ahead in all polls as preferred PM and National riding high in same polls (even if most women find him 'arrogant/smug' as you say, what does that make of Labour/Shearer then?...worst defeat in 85yrs for Labour and that's AFTER National campaigning for 11mths about Partial Asset Sales)...heehee...methinks it's you DAVID that's crying on the inside that this Govt is still popular and Key too...lol
QUESTION: Do you believe Maori own the water, Airwaves and Wind DAVID as that's what they are looking at claiming...please at least let us all know your stance.

5/09/2012 11:16:35 a.m.

Wiseacre wrote:

State owned infrastructure are assets not because of the profit they generate but because of their value in enabling society to function efficiently and effectively. Power companies, education, telecommunications, roads, public transport, freight rail, ports, healthcare. These all enable our community to produce, learn, invent, develop, communicate, engage, transport, trade and grow within a caring and civil society. Vital infrastructure shouldn't be about making large profits. It should be about providing the opportunity for business and society to develop and grow, not clipping the ticket every time the service is used. Our energy system is fundamental to our economy - it should not be tapped as a source of profit itself. By placing vital infrastructure in private hands - even partially - we grant the new owners unwarranted economic and political power. The demands for ever increasing profits only burdens business and society with the cost of unavoidable necessities. The moment we recognise private interests in the administration of vital infrastructure, the power to act in the public good is relinquished. The profit motive should not be our sole imperative. Money isn't everything. Assets so central to our national well-being ought to be held in the public good.

5/09/2012 10:52:17 a.m.

David wrote:

National Party fanatics must feel so betrayed by John Key caving in to Maori. They foamed and frothed at the mouth.... people like Eddie about how no one owned water. Yet forgot to mention that John Key earlier in the year already admitted that he believed water could be owned and was looking into how to divide it up amoungst corporate whities. Lets not also forget one very important National Party statistic as well. Last year for the first time in living history a child under 10 years old took their own life. Thats the National Party Legacy... homelessness, desperation, stress, hardship. All of these things have been made much worse by Nationals slash and burn campaign. And Last year... a child under 10 took their lives, which has never happened before... this entire government are responsible for that including Turia. Families are in extreme hardship and the Maori Parties continued support of National is just as responsible for that with the imcompetence of Heatley, Bennett and English. Remember also that none of the sales proceeds are going to pay back debt and a vast majority of those proceeds have been wasted on corporate whities.. like farmers who get 1/2 a billion dollars and consultants whoget nearly a 1/4 of a Billion dollars in fees. But I do laught at Key betraying his core electorate and stalling the sales. It must make Eddie cry on the inside.

5/09/2012 10:04:24 a.m.

drunken sailor wrote:

Three wheels on JK's wagon, but he's still rolling along... How long before the others come off? Will be a great day for NZ.

5/09/2012 9:50:31 a.m.

SHADOE wrote:

Nicely put Al, when you make a list that long it seems a bit crazy but i too have looked into many of the subjects you mention and am amazed at what i found. The Eddies of the world will be our downfall.

5/09/2012 9:22:38 a.m.

Gary wrote:

The fact is the figures for selling the assets has never made sense and added up. National have never put a positive case forward. We get spoon fed the spin then add in some fear of financial problems, point at Greece and Spain then every one should be ready to roll over and let us do what we like. Well not everyone is that gullible. But the simple fact is they just can not put a straight forward sale on the table and show that it is a good thing for NZ. Stand strong people and stop the sale! These assets belong to all of us not just JK.