Asset sales: What’s the rush?

Written By: - Date published: 3:13 pm, June 13th, 2012 - 49 comments
Categories: accountability, democracy under attack, Privatisation - Tags:

So the Asset Sales Bill will be back in Parliament for its second reading tomorrow.

It’s a further abrogation of due procress, as it comes back 5 weeks early, curtailing proper scrutiny.

National, by wait of select committee numbers, ended deliberations after only one hour, and want to get the legislation rammed through before the Keep Our Assets referendum petition gathers its targeted 350,000 signatures – and before Peter Dunne loses his nerve.  More than 10,000 signed in 1 weekend in Ohariu – and tens of thousands have across the country – so it won’t be long before more than half of registered voters in Dunne’s electorate have signed up, proving beyond any doubt that his position is against his constituents’ desires.

Treasury completed their Select Committee report before submissions had finished, National members of the select committee were rude and dissimisive to submitters, and there has been no time to test the evidence that was submitted.  They will ignore the views of 99% of the oral submitters, and the vast majority of the 1400 written submissions.

But unfortunately for them, while they can race the bill through Parliament, ignoring all opposition, the actual sales will take some time to proceed – so there will be plenty of time for the petition and its subsequent referendum.

The market for their sale will not get any better in the current global environment, and forcing local governments into asset sales won’t help distract either.

49 comments on “Asset sales: What’s the rush? ”

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  1. tracey 1
    13 June 2012 at 3:43 pm

    120,000,000… To promote, pr the sales… Money,s tight. Yeah right

    • bbfloyd 1.1
      13 June 2012 at 5:44 pm

      All depends on one’s priorities doesn’t it………johnny has sponsors to pay off….. people that could make life difficult for him if he doesn’t do what he’s told….

  2. ianmac 2
    13 June 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Remember the instant Petition from avaaz.com.
    Over 8,000 today so far, aiming at 25,000 before Key rams it through tomorrow.

    http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Oppose_NZ_Asset_Sales/?tta

    • happynz 2.1
      13 June 2012 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks for the heads up. Signed it (well, typed it in).

      • Jim Nald 2.1.1
        13 June 2012 at 6:03 pm

        Me too. Quite amazing. Can see people signing the petition every few seconds in real time. Even saw mine appear after I signed it.

        Btw, “National, by wait of select committee numbers” – perhaps “by weight”?

    • deuto 2.2
      13 June 2012 at 8:17 pm

      Signed when you put it up earlier today. Just checked and it was at about 12,384 and rising!

      • ianmac 2.2.1
        13 June 2012 at 9:26 pm

        Now 13,257 @ 9:26pm

        • Jim Nald 2.2.1.1
          13 June 2012 at 9:34 pm

          A suggestion:
          compile an email list of your family members and network of friends,
          then with the avaaz weblink,
          send, cc or bcc the petition to them.
          Do it now 🙂

          p.s. better to send it from your personal/home email address and to avoid sending from work or to their work address

        • Fortran 2.2.1.2
          14 June 2012 at 2:00 pm

          I have heard that quite a few M.Mouse et al names/signatures have been added by those opposed to the referendum with spurious addresses.
          Is this legal ?

          • Te Reo Putake 2.2.1.2.1
            14 June 2012 at 2:29 pm

            Only the legitimate names and addresses of registered voters actually count. Spurious ones get weeded out before the petition gets handed in to Parliament. A secondary vetting then takes place as well, before the final number of signatories is announced.

    • Tombstone 2.3
      14 June 2012 at 12:14 am

      Signed and posted link on FB to get as many others to sign as possible. 14500 so far!

    • David H 2.4
      14 June 2012 at 9:40 am

      Signed it is good to watch it going up quite quickly.

  3. tc 3
    13 June 2012 at 3:57 pm

    Let’s see if the MSM completely miss the mood and parrot the NACT spin.

  4. Draco T Bastard 4
    13 June 2012 at 4:02 pm

    This abuse of process by NACT needs to be addressed by the opposition and the best way that they can is by saying that they will renationalise any assets sold without compensation in 2014. That way the assets won’t be sold even if the law changes go through.

    • Colonial Viper 4.1
      13 June 2012 at 4:05 pm

      I’d be happy for a statement to come out from Labour saying that they will be renationalised with compensation returned at purchase price, less the Government’s costs incurred eg the bankers fees.

      Of course, if we join the TPPA we would lose our sovereign rights to do anything like this.

      • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1
        13 June 2012 at 5:15 pm

        That just means that we’d have to go through all the expense of buying them back. Without compensation stops them being sold in the first place.

        • mike e 4.1.1.1
          13 June 2012 at 5:26 pm

          DTB if we could sue the national party for all their fuck ups the country would have a brighter future!

          • prism 4.1.1.1.1
            13 June 2012 at 6:18 pm

            If right wing politicians are going to run the country like a business, then they should ethically? put themselves under business rules so we can sue them if they don’t follow the laws – going to urgency over asset sales without proper process first etc.

  5. Pete George 5
    13 June 2012 at 4:11 pm

    More than 10,000 signed in 1 weekend in Ohariu so it won’t be long before more than half of registered voters in Dunne’s electorate have signed up, proving beyond any doubt that his position is against his constituents’ desires.

    How do you know they are registered in Ohariu? Is that recorded on the petition?

    Chauvel was calling for help from all over the region, and was targetting 24,000 signatures.

    • mike e 5.1
      13 June 2012 at 4:16 pm

      Conmankey wants to get it through before the polls go down further.

      • johnm 5.1.1
        14 June 2012 at 1:08 am

        Hi mike e
        Why can’t Conmankey sell his own Hawaiien assets and leave our f*ck*n assets alone?!

        • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.1
          14 June 2012 at 2:54 am

          Because he realises that selling his assets will make him poorer and less able to recoup that loss. He’s selling ours because it gives him a chance to gain even more wealth and become an even bigger bludger.

    • tc 5.2
      13 June 2012 at 4:21 pm

      As predictable as a banker justifying record profits, PG to the rescue.

    • mike e 5.3
      13 June 2012 at 4:21 pm

      When the rats are leaving the Nact sinking ship the hairpiece will jump before he is pushed.
      All National MPs living in close run electorates will no doubt be getting health checks in case they fall of the perch and cause a by election.
      Including the follicle freak a PG

    • John M 5.4
      13 June 2012 at 5:30 pm

      Why, Wormtongue, do you keep trying to defend the indefensible? You’re already way beyond having made a complete twat of yourself.

    • Dr Terry 5.5
      13 June 2012 at 7:22 pm

      Who cares where the signatures came from? This is splitting hairs. 10,000 signatures from anyone or anywhere speaks for itself! Now for the 24,000!!

      • Pete George 5.5.1
        13 June 2012 at 7:33 pm

        I agree, it’s a significant number of signatures, but to claim it’s “proving beyond any doubt that his position is against his constituents’ desires” you’ve sorta gotta have some proof.

        • Pascal's bookie 5.5.1.1
          13 June 2012 at 7:52 pm

          Who claimed that?

        • Draco T Bastard 5.5.1.2
          13 June 2012 at 8:20 pm

          Quoting out of context – normal RWNJ behaviour when they don’t like the facts. Here’s the actual quote:

          More than 10,000 signed in 1 weekend in Ohariu – and tens of thousands have across the country – so it won’t be long before more than half of registered voters in Dunne’s electorate have signed up, proving beyond any doubt that his position is against his constituents’ desires.

          A prediction made upon observed phenomena.

        • Te Reo Putake 5.5.1.3
          13 June 2012 at 8:47 pm

          Each signatory must provide the address that they are registered as a voter at when they sign. it’s not hard to spot J’ville, etc. You really are a desperate little toady, Pete.

          • Pete George 5.5.1.3.1
            14 June 2012 at 5:41 am

            It would be a big job keeping a count of signatures from specific electorates. Of course it could be done, but to make claims of “proving beyond any doubt” you need proof beyond any doubt.

            That fact that most response here has been pathetic attacks and abuse and is absent any facts just increases doubt about the claim.

            • Te Reo Putake 5.5.1.3.1.1
              14 June 2012 at 7:08 am

              How fucken stupid are you, Pete? The signatures and addresses are the proof, people are, in fact, counting them and that is why the claim is true and you remain just another Tory lickspittle. What upsets you most is that Kiwis are signing up to this petition in their tens of thousands, yet you can’t even convince anyone to visit your distraction site, except for cheap laughs.

              • tc …
                14 June 2012 at 7:41 am

                It’s not stupidity it’s a subversive brand of trolling that lurks behind a ‘reasonable centre’ facade when the reasoning is as sound as any of the damaging policies of NACT once the facade gets stripped away, as it often does on this site.

            • David H 5.5.1.3.1.2
              14 June 2012 at 9:15 am

              Hey Pete

              We are all born Stupid, but some must work hard to remain that way.

    • North 5.6
      13 June 2012 at 10:03 pm

      You sound like you’re shitting your pants Gete Peorge. Or maybe your continence pad.

      Fuck, real problem when the people walk over my ponderous wanking……..

  6. yeshe 6
    13 June 2012 at 7:57 pm

    Today I wrote to Mr Dunne, and received in return what was clearly a standard of letter of response re MOM and his stated support prior to the last election.

    I replied as follows:

    Dear Mr Dunne,

    Thank you for your letter.

    I do not suppose that anywhere you imagined the select committee process might be so abused in the mechanism of bringing this legislation to fruition. It is is this point I am urging you to reconsider.

    I am not holding my breath.

    Many thanks.
    Sincerely,
    xxxxxxxx

    Mr Dunne replied as follows.

    Dear xxxxxxxx,

    With respect, I do not consider that the select committee process was abused. From my observation, this committee behaved in no different a fashion from any select committee I have observed or sat on over the years. I have heard the somewhat predictable complaints from the Opposition (they are only doing their job, after all) but have seen no evidence to back up their claims.

    Yours sincerely,

    Hon Peter Dunne

    MP for Ohariu /Leader of UnitedFuture

    Minister of Revenue

    Associate Minister of Health/Associate Minister of Conservation

    Visit our website at http://www.unitedfuture.org.nz

  7. North 7
    13 June 2012 at 9:45 pm

    Peter Dunne. Truly more concerned about the long relationship between his fat aging buttocks and the green (I assume it’s still green) leather seat in which his fat farting arse sits in the Houses of Parliament. Disgraceful benefit bludging wanker. Holds the Guinness Book of Records distinction for the longest serving minister AND brownest tongue in the history of parliamentary democracy.

    And you know, I still remember election night a few elections ago when the shithead was hurrying himself to get somewhere and some hapless little reporter girl or boy got in his way. Oh , the withering eyes and the snappy little nasty vicar talk. Arsehole ! Passing himself off as Everyman !

    Not surprised that Eveyman2 Pete George is right into him.

    • John M 7.1
      13 June 2012 at 10:26 pm

      “Everyman2” is a perfect description. I have to say that whoever came up with “Wormtongue” deserves an award, too.

      What’s not humouress is what will be Dunne’s legacy. Without the asset sales policy Dunne would’ve been remembered as a politician who stood for nothing. With the asset sales policy he’s got the opportunity to change that. It’s just a pity he’s choosing to be remembered as nasty and selfish and who sold NZ out for his own political ends knowing what he was doing was against the will of the people. History won’t forget Peter Dunne. What a cock.

  8. Salsy 8
    13 June 2012 at 10:50 pm

    History won’t forget Peter Dunne.

    Yip, what a cock indeed.

  9. Karl Sinclair 9
    13 June 2012 at 11:13 pm

    God defend New Zealand
    What is there left to defend?
    The NZDF gutted, will it be the end?
    God defend New Zealand
    There are no ASSETS left, let us not pretend
    God Defend New Zealand
    The education system privatised, let us spend, spend, spend and spend…
    God Defend New Zealand….
    Elite and rich for they know what to do
    To keep you dumbed down stupid, hooked on trash TV, caveat emptor is there bend,
    NZ private debt the highest in the OECD they want to continue that trend…..
    God defend nothing….
    I think this is the end……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
    Status Quo monkeys being protected to continue their elite trend…..
    God Defend nothing…… this is the end…..

    Oh and by the way notice how energy stocks are being gobbled up by wall street… now theres a coincidence…..

  10. Bored 10
    14 June 2012 at 6:48 am

    Have we heard Labour or the Greens come out publically and state they will buy back the assets at a discount? Show so balls boys.

    National are showing who really pulls their levers: the same people who paid for ACT and Roger Douglas, the same old big money. National describe themselves as centre right, they are the same old extreme right corporatist bully boys, and they want to sell what we own fast before they lose the opportunity. Time for extreme measures (i.e threaten their capital).

  11. muzza 11
    14 June 2012 at 7:33 am

    Waiting for the so called left to counter with the headline grabbing press release, make it a press conference, with all the bells and whistles, to renationalize assets. and or repeal this treasonous legislation..

    Waiting……
    Waiting…..

    Must be difficult for those so called left (mana aside), to work out why “their team” is not doing anything to offset the NACT wrecking machine…

    Why is that you reckon, anyone…..anyone…..

    David, David, David, Russell….hello

  12. Jim Nald 12
    14 June 2012 at 7:49 am

    And the petition has passed the 15200 mark.

    It is quite fun to watch. Some of the names that appear are ones that I recognise. While share markets have been trending down or bouncing wildly on the way down, the number of petitioners just steadily increases every few seconds.

    Gives me hope for the good sense of an increasingly greater number of NZers. Spread the word and spread the love!

    (oops, this should have been at 2.3.1)

    • Te Reo Putake 12.1
      14 June 2012 at 11:05 am

      Just so there’s no confusion, this digital petition has no relationship to the physical one. We still need your signature on paper if we are going to get a referendum.
       
      Keep our assets site here.

      • Carol 12.1.1
        14 June 2012 at 11:11 am

        Thanks. I have been a bit confused by this digital petition. What exactly can it achieve? Is it just a diversion from the referendum petition and generally confusing things?

        • Te Reo Putake 12.1.1.1
          14 June 2012 at 11:38 am

          There has been confusion about the nature of the digital petition and the organisers of the real one have had to activate the various email trees to clarify that it is unrelated to the job at hand.
           
          I think the digital petition is a good idea to get a quick response to events as they come up, but it’s not a replacement for a proper, engaging campaign that is run according to the rules that govern referendum. The outcome of the digital petition will be Key giving a smug put down, if he is even asked about it at all. A referendum is less easy to ignore.

  13. Roy 13
    14 June 2012 at 10:33 am

    16,887 right now, and a lot of fun to watch because it keeps going up and up!

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