Amidst all the current scandal and chaos, the Nats’ privatisation agenda grinds on, as reported by various sources this afternoon. More reaction later I’m sure, but for the moment here’s the bare bones from the 3 News coverage:
Government goes ahead with share sale
The Government is forging ahead with its asset sales agenda, choosing not to adopt the ‘shares plus’ option suggested by the Waitangi Tribunal.
Prime Minister John Key announced this afternoon there will be no further negotiations with Maori on the issue of water ownership after the Government’s hui with affected iwi. He says the Government will now focus on removing Might River Power from the State Owned Enterprises Act and preparing it for partial sale. …
The decision not to settle the dispute over water ownership means the Government is likely to be on the receiving end of legal action from the Maori Council and other interested parties.
Mr Key says if the Council wants to take the Government to court, they can. “That’s entirely a matter for them. From the Government’s perspective, it would not be unexpected,” he says.
Might as well slip that announcement out while everyone is distracted by the appalling incompetence of Paula Bennett’s department eh?
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