English flip-flop undermines co-leader Key
Bill English's over-ruling of John Key's broadband funding gaffe shows which of the co-leaders is really in charge.
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Bill English's over-ruling of John Key's broadband funding gaffe shows which of the co-leaders is really in charge, says Communications Minister David Cunliffe.
"After decades of inaction by National, the public is still waiting for that party's real communications spokesman, Maurice Williamson, to speak up," Mr Cunliffe said.
"Instead, last week, John Key bumbled into the middle of the government's Telecom separation process by promising major government funding for broadband before the private sector's own investment plans are clear.
"Today, Bill English over-ruled him by rightly warning against crowding out private investment.
"Mr English then contradicted himself by praising the Labour-led government's Project PROBE, criticising local government fibre initiatives and endorsing the Australian Labor Party's broadband plan.
"National's co-leaders clearly have no clear policy or even a shared understanding of the issues.
"Meanwhile, Maurice Williamson remains missing in action, as he has been for years.
"National should leave the serious business of telecommunications strategy to this Labour-led government. We are serious about bringing faster, better broadband to all Kiwis."
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Bill English's over-ruling of John Key's broadband funding gaffe shows which of the co-leaders is really in charge, says Communications Minister David Cunliffe.
"After decades of inaction by National, the public is still waiting for that party's real communications spokesman, Maurice Williamson, to speak up," Mr Cunliffe said.
"Instead, last week, John Key bumbled into the middle of the government's Telecom separation process by promising major government funding for broadband before the private sector's own investment plans are clear.
"Today, Bill English over-ruled him by rightly warning against crowding out private investment.
"Mr English then contradicted himself by praising the Labour-led government's Project PROBE, criticising local government fibre initiatives and endorsing the Australian Labor Party's broadband plan.
"National's co-leaders clearly have no clear policy or even a shared understanding of the issues.
"Meanwhile, Maurice Williamson remains missing in action, as he has been for years.
"National should leave the serious business of telecommunications strategy to this Labour-led government. We are serious about bringing faster, better broadband to all Kiwis."