Asset sales in a second National administration...

Asset sales were always on the cards...


Labour claims National is softening up voters for a programme of state asset sales which would take place if it gets a second term in office.

Finance Minister Bill English delivered his Budget Policy Statement yesterday which shows the economy has turned the corner. The economic recovery has occurred earlier than forecast at the time of the Budget. The unemployment peak is now estimated at seven percent early next year and not the previous estimate of eight percent late next year. Future budget deficits have been revised down but it will still be 2016 before surpluses return.

Mr English also warned that the Government is examining the risks of owning state assets and identified SOEs Cordia, TVNZ, Kiwirail and New Zealand Post as companies that are struggling and are not keeping pace with change.

Labour MP David Cunliffe says that smells like an asset sales programme looming.

"New Zealand Post is an extremely profitable centre for the government. It's also the owner of Kiwibank, the only domestic bank in New Zealand. This government would sell us down the river."

The Government's books will be in the red at least until 2016.


Asset sales are a total unnecessity - we need public assets for when there is an economic recovery. NZ Post/Kiwibank is not struggling, and rail is the future around the world; in some countries competing well against air travel. It would be totally stupid to privatise our public assets.



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© 2009 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Somebody moved some rocks...

Somebody moved some rocks and something horrible wriggled out from underneath.

Something that has lain dormant for a few years - the souls of the 1980's and the 1990's - something horrible and yellow, just like Rodney Hide's jacket. The stench was unbearable - those rotten New Right policies that nearly disembowelled New Zealand society - that P word! Not methamphetamine but almost as bad for New Zealand and its people.

Privatisation!!! Yes, you may shout!!! But privatisation of the welfare system. The target would be massive reductions in welfare benefits with massive incentives too!

With unemployment at 50,000 and rising just like the 1990's and expected to climb to 90,000 in a year.

Well Johnnie Key, people are often judged by those they associate with. In your case the politically naieve Maori Party and the well discredited ACT Party.

Greenhorn Rodney Hide's motives questioned...

Greenhorn Rodney Hide's motives questioned, and so they should!

Andrew Williams, North Shore mayor, claims privatisation plans for Auck region's assets behind MP Rodney Hide's super city push -- we all know what he stands for?

An Auckland mayor has blasted Local Government Minister Rodney Hide, over the way he is pushing plans for a super city.

North Shore's Andrew Williams is accusing Mr Hide of misleading Prime Minister John Key about the shake-up.

The Government is planning to put in place one central authority, with up to 30 smaller community boards. Mr Williams says Mr Hide has told Mr Key he has got support from the existing councils for his proposals, when in fact that is not the case. He claims the super city plan is being hijacked.

"I think we're being hoodwinked here by a local minister who has got very little experience in local government and unfortunately people are listening to the false information that he's putting out there."

Mr Williams believes the ultimate aim is to take control of the region's asset base and privatise it.

"Farm it of to council-controlled organisations with private boards of directors, controlling the water, controlling the waste water, controlling the transport."

Mr Williams says his opinions are shared by the other councils, with the exception of Auckland City. He says it will cost some ratepayers another $500 a year. For the North Shore, he says the change will have the same impact as a five percent rates hike. Check out just what the political "Mr Hyde" is up to?



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© 2009 NZCity, NewsTalkZB