Privatisation - most don't want to sell state owned assets as evidenced by this TV3 Poll
In a 3 News Reid Research poll, we asked 1000 voters if New Zealand should partially sell off some state-owned assets. A total 60 percent of respondents said no, just 30 percent said yes.
But regardless of public opinion, Prime Minister John Key still wants to push ahead with the plan to sell up to 49 percent of three state-owned power companies as well as Solid Energy.
“It does show you that we’ve got a job to do, to make sure that New Zealanders understand the merits of this programme,” Mr Key said today.
Doesn't that sound a lot like what the maori party are saying about the repeal of the Foreshore and Seabed Act?
And what about these iwi who are salivating at the prospect of these privatisations - time you listened to the people instead of the gnat lines I think.
Hat tip The Standard
Professor Jane Kelsey is leading the battle against this TPPA. Prime minister key has been spotlighted and with the next round of secret negotiations in Chile starting on 14 february, who knows what else they will give or sell away. This change of position from key would allow the government to be sued. Are you happy with this maori party? Do you actually believe that this is good for maori?
Voxy
In November last year, Prime Minister John Key described as "far-fetched" the idea that investors could sue the New Zealand government directly in a secret international tribunal to enforce rules in the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). This week, US trade negotiator Barbara Wiesel said that was no longer New Zealand's position, according to TPPA critic Professor Jane Kelsey. In response to questions about New Zealand and Australian positions during a briefing to civil society in Washington on 31st January Ms Wiesel said "New Zealand had retracted the Prime Minister's statement. It is not their position."
What does it mean?
The Key government is happy for pharmaceutical firms in the US, Australian banks or Singapore-based Brierley Investments to sue the New Zealand government for millions in compensation if they think new laws or policies are unfair or unreasonable or erode their profitability", said Professor Kelsey.
Why the change in position?
"Either John Key did not know what his negotiators were proposing to do when he described investor-state enforcement as "far-fetched"; or he was lying to the New Zealand public; or he has buckled to pressure from the US, and possibly his own Minister and officials, to agree."
And why is this so important?
"This proposed bill of rights for foreign investors is even more frightening when government has announced assets sales and privatisation of ACC, policies which failed in the past and required the government to step back in."
Some may say that all of these areas are unconnected but just watch - they are all connected - when brownlee said the 'for sale' sign was up he was deadly serious.
Not surprising that they want to privatise the water - it will be the air next.
"The Government is planning to make it easier for private companies to take over water and wastewater services from councils.
Local Government Minister and Act leader Rodney Hide yesterday said "flexibility in delivery of water services" was part of changes to the Local Government Act 2002."
... "Under the act, councils can contract "any aspect of the operation of all or part of a water service"."
'Any aspect of all or part' - total wriggle room there.
"Green Party local government spokeswoman Sue Kedgley said the changes would effectively privatise all aspects of water supply services.
"This has the potential to be hugely harmful to the public," she said.
"This theft of the public's assets is alarming and dangerous."
Auckland water campaigner Penny Bright was totally opposed to the plan.
"In no way is the commercialisation or privatisation of water services to be supported."
She said water services should never be run to make a profit. Affordable water was a basic human right."
Basic human right - not everything is a commodity rodders. Is there anything you wouldn't sell - maybe your rosebud?
