Greens 'don't know about economics' - Key

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Greens 'don't know economics' - Key

3News NZ

Prime Minister John Key (Getty)

Prime Minister John Key (Getty)

By 3 News online staff

Prime Minister John Key has promised to return the Government's books to surplus in the next two years, but it seems that target may be unachievable.

The Reserve Bank believes a surplus is more likely to be achieved in four years time.

Asset sales are an idea the Government is pushing as a way to help its books.

“Our aim is to bring those three companies to the market in the next reasonable period of time… a lot is made about the market conditions at the time and obviously that has some impact… but you can’t draw a sort of straight line between the market conditions and the health of the economy overall,” Prime Minister John Key told Firstline this morning.

He says the aim is to make the companies which will be sold off attractive to “mum and dad” investors.

“These are companies that New Zealanders may well want to invest in, that’s a matter for them to take advice on,” he says.

Mr Key says criticism by the Green Party of the Government’s decision to sell off state assets in the current economic climate, and using this to call for a halt on asset sales, is inaccurate.

“With the greatest respect to [Green Party co-leader Russel Norman], I’m sure he’s a great bloke, he doesn’t know much about economics,” he says.

Mr Key says the Government is aiming to place Mighty River Power on the market in the third quarter of this year.

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Comments

19/06/2012 9:45:17 p.m.

Anastsy wrote:

i would would rather have Russel Norman german system of Austrian Economics than John Keys Wall-Street certifcate on banking and corruption. facebook shares, merilyn lynch, anyone-up for some SOEs? please power is expected to go up again!!!

19/06/2012 3:02:35 p.m.

John wrote:

@Nigel: Brilliant. Key - if you think the Greens know nothing of economics, show us why. Their plan looks a lot better than yours at the moment.

19/06/2012 1:45:06 p.m.

nigel wrote:

I agree with Norman why sell an asset when you cannot realise the best price. Instead of saying Norman doesn’t know what he is talking about. How about explaining exactly why it makes economic sense to have a fire sale Prime Minister? I have an open mind about this and I want to know why, or on the face of it with no actual explanation from you it appears Norman is right!

19/06/2012 1:14:40 p.m.

Andrew wrote:

This is quite rich coming from John Key who believes in invisible hands and other neoliberal silliness. After reading through much the Green party manifesto and listening to their speeches, I find they have a sensible programme for economic recovery. It seems clear that in fact John Key does not understand the basics of economics.

19/06/2012 1:04:17 p.m.

matty wrote:

My Grandma is a lovely person, cares for the environment, and good on her. But id hate to see her running the place..

19/06/2012 11:11:39 a.m.

Madness wrote:

Not everything in our world comes down to economics John. The Greens have a heart and care about the average person unlike the Nats they only consider the filling of the rich's pockets. Greens know more than you think John boy!!

19/06/2012 10:54:17 a.m.

John wrote:

Russell Norman doesn't know as much as YOU about ecomonics, aye Key? Why? Because you're a BANKER and he's a POLITICIAN. However, he still knows more than the average Joe, cares about the future of his country and is supported by far, FAR more people than you are right now. DONT SELL OUR COUNTRY. IT DOESNT BELONG TO YOU.

19/06/2012 10:38:31 a.m.

atrout wrote:

While not agreeing with the sale of SOEs, I totally agree with the PM about the Green's total lack of understanding about the economics of running anything more complicated than a lemonade stand. This is the great failing of the NZ Greens and great loss to the country. If the Greens dumped a few of their most backward thinking, frequently recycled MPs and replaced them with some forward thinkers then NZ would probably benefit. DelaHunty, Sage and a couple of others are total space wasters and hold the party back from real success.

19/06/2012 10:22:50 a.m.

Richard wrote:

And therein lies the problem. Greens have no idea about looking after where the dollars come from. Grandiose schemes, but will no doubt want to kill the golden geese that fund them at the same time. Like Labour - no complete plans, just headline bullet points to curry favour with those who can't or won't think things through carefully.

19/06/2012 9:43:11 a.m.

Mike B wrote:

Well said Mr Key. Most these people shouting the odds know absolutely bugger all about economics. Also agree that most of them are most probably “great blokes”.