4 September 2001

Socially responsible superannuation voted down 113 - 7

Green co-leader Rod Donald said today's defeat of a Green amendment to have a definition of 'socially responsible' inserted into the New Zealand superannuation bill highlights differences between the Greens and all other parties in parliament.

The amendment was defeated by 113 votes to seven with every party in parliament voting against the Greens.

"For all that Labour and the Alliance talk about a commitment to social responsibility and triple bottom lines this vote shows exactly where they stand when it comes to the crunch," said Mr Donald.

"It's easy to talk the talk about sustainability at conferences up and down the country, but when it comes to walking the walk with legislation, the Minister of Finance puts on the shackles."

Mr Donald said the defeat of the Green amendment showed that every other party in parliament only wanted to make 'commercially prudent' decisions without taking into consideration the plight of people, communities and the environment.

ENDS

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