Poll shows asset sales unpopular

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Tue, 21 Feb 2012 6:18p.m.

Much of the public do not agree with the Government selling off assets like power stations

Much of the public do not agree with the Government selling off assets like power stations

By Duncan Garner

A 3 News Reid Research poll shows New Zealanders remain opposed to the Government's planned asset sales.

Prime Minister John Key said a year ago he had work to do to convince the public of his policy - but his critics say tonight's poll shows he has failed.

The Government is selling 49 percent of the prime strategic assets owned by Kiwi taxpayers, including energy companies that pay hundreds of millions of dollars a year in dividends to the Government.

However, the public is not convinced, even with estimates that the sales could be worth $6 billion.

“Well it's not our best guess, I'm being honest,” Finance Minister Bill English said last week.

The poll asked 1000 voters whether they agreed with the partial privatisations.

The results showed 62 percent disagreed, 35 percent agreed and 3.5 percent were unsure.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters was not surprised.

“They should stop kidding themselves they can explain this. That's silly politics.”

A year ago 60 percent disagreed with the sales and Mr Key said he would try to convince people otherwise.

“It does show you that we've got a job to do to make sure New Zealanders understand the merits of this programme.”

Mr Key was not available for interview today but State Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall says it will take a couple more years for people to be convinced of the benefits.

“We always said it was going to be controversial but there are upsides - control debt, good savings opportunities helps thicken up New Zealand capital markets.”

Even National voters are not overly impressed with the plan - only 64 percent agree with asset sales and 32 percent disagree.

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Comments

25 Feb 2012 03:21p.m.

steve wrote:

@Nic. Bill English Quote (2008)

“I want to stress that New Zealand starts from a reasonable position in dealing with the uncertainty of our economic outlook.” “In New Zealand we have room to respond. This is the rainy day that Government has been saving up for,”

If your beloved leaders were so open about things they would say that it was their irresponsible spending that has created this mess..

Borrowing $1.5 Billion a year to give the rich tax cuts. Now the rich can take their four years of tax cuts and buy 49% the well performing SOE's - at the expense of the rest of us New Zealanders. Well done National! You have essentially just scammed the country giving our assets to the rich for free!

23 Feb 2012 09:31a.m.

Gary wrote:

The problem we have is that NZ does not stand alone with pride and passion for NZ. We are ruled by britain, manipulated by US and legislated by Australia while still trying to suck up to China. Grow a pair Mr Key and stand strong and proud for the people of NZ. Selling the back bone of a nation is not a step forward. Stop acting like a US president and remember what you are and who you represent.

22 Feb 2012 08:03p.m.

Kiwi wrote:

It is about time this daylight robbery stops!Those who are not opposed to the sale of our strategic national assets are either some nats,vested intrests or those who would be foreigners. National needs to go and go in a hurry. Alternative? Winston Peters, who says things as they are.

22 Feb 2012 02:30p.m.

madness wrote:

Anne I so agree with what you have said. We are on a path of distruction again and the Nat Naz's don't care because they don't have too. Someone comes along and spends years cleaning up the mess. It is guaranteed by them because they aren't thinking of a country as a hole. They only think of all the others up with the in the elite bunch. With a bit of luck and their bad management they might give cause for a vote of no confidence. Best Shearer gets up to speed to be there when they fall to bits. Can't wait to see the back of John Keys who thinks he is a president not a prime minister.

22 Feb 2012 09:26a.m.

Nik wrote:

People are stupid. If they did not want asset sales, they should not have voted National. Although with Phil Goff as Labour Leader, what cioce was there? haha. Labour racked up much of this debt, and the Chch earthquake had a big impact too. National have no choice but to clear it however they can because if there is another disaster, our economy may well be screwed, we would essentially be bankrupt, and stuffed. Asset sales are not ideal but I am just hoping there is a future plan to buy 51% of other big businesses and have a finger in more pies so to speak. Labour supporters... the simple fact is Labour has sold more assets than National, and far more land has gone into foreign ownership under the past Labour Government. At least NAtional are out in the open about it! And hey, here's an idea on how to save money... Live in the present, not the past, and stop bowing down to Maori and giving them land and hundreds of millions of dollars! How nuch in total has been paid to Maori since the claims started? Probably more enough to clear our National deficit!!!!!

22 Feb 2012 08:40a.m.

anne wrote:

The best way to ruin and control a country is to get rid
of strategic assets,then what? join greece.
National have botched the economy and a public referenda
should be held as to their capability in handling the
economy and also into whether assets should be hocked
off to the highest bidder.
Power and dams are the lifeblood of a country,they are not for sale,air nz is quite different,it is for those who can afford to fly,it is not strategic.
Mistakes have been made by previous national parties and it
has taken nz on a terrible path for years to try and recover,all because a couple of ministers thought they knew
how to handle the people's money,lessons are not learnt by
national today,national continues on a path of destruction.

22 Feb 2012 07:05a.m.

Homer wrote:

All this focus on asset sales while more NZ'ers lose jobs and go on the unemployment line. Sell off for a quick buck? stupid idea and does nothing to give jobs to those who need them which is what National should be focusing on. This country is screwed.

22 Feb 2012 01:01a.m.

Mike wrote:

They want to have fire sales for ideological (and highly profitable for these who buy these assets) reasons.