21 August 2000

NATIONAL & LABOUR STILL DO NOT GET IT OVER SUPERANNUATION

United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne, says the latest round of the superannuation debate shows the two main parties are still missing the point.

“Most New Zealanders, whatever their age group, have had enough of the ongoing superannuation argument, and just want the matter resolved.”

“But they have no confidence, given the events of the last 15 years, that National and Labour can do so.”

“National’s offer to enter multi-party talks without preconditions is a start, but it is likely to fail because Labour seems interested in talks only on its terms.”

“There is too much historical bad blood over superannuation between National and Labour to inspire any confidence they can sort things out now,” he says.

Mr Dunne says the only way genuine agreement can be reached is for all stakeholders to be involved, and for the matter to be taken out of the direct control of the politicians.

He is proposing that the Retirement Commissioner be the convenor of the talks, to all include all the parties in Parliament, and that groups like Greypower and the superannuation industry are also parties to the talks.

“That should remove the issue from the sphere of political manipulation, and should offer real hope that a lasting and genuine solution will be reached,” he says.

ENDS
New Zealand’s Liberal Party

MEDIA STATEMENT
HON PETER DUNNE, MP
LEADER UNITED NEW ZEALAND
Parliament Buildings, Wellington 1.
Ph(04)471 9410 or (025) 469 808. Fax (04)499 7266.
e-mail: peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz. Internet Address: http://www.united.org.nz

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