Tribunal finding reinforces need to stop asset sales

National’s asset sales agenda was never in New Zealand’s best interests and the reasons why it should be abandoned are growing by the day, says Labour Leader David Shearer.

“Today’s interim memorandum from the Waitangi Tribunal recommending the share float be delayed should be a wake-up call to National. Its short-sighted determination to flog off our assets is wrong. It’s not in our national interest and should be abandoned altogether.

“Asset sales are not the solution to our economic woes. In fact, National’s insistence on ploughing ahead with the plan in the face of Māori claims over water rights exposes taxpayers to huge financial risk. If this goes to court, taxpayers will foot the bill while private investors enjoy the profits.

“This situation is entirely of National’s making. Its asset sales agenda is now a complete train wreck dogged by uncertainty and spiraling costs that John Key’s so-called Kiwi mums and dads will end up paying.

“New Zealanders don’t want their assets sold full-stop. They’ve made that crystal clear to this Government. But National is not listening,” said David Shearer.