Phil Twyford
Auckland Issues spokesperson

9 December 2009 Media Statement
Ports of Auckland to be stripped of anti-privatisation provision

The Government has decided to repeal the law that would prevent the privatisation of the Ports of Auckland unless a majority of Aucklanders voted to approve the sale, says Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford.

“Local Government Minister Rodney Hide confirmed in Parliament today that the Government will remove the provision in current law, prohibiting the sale of the ports unless a referendum is held and Aucklanders approve the move.

“The change is one of a raft of law changes to be enacted as part of the establishment of the Auckland super city.

Phil Twyford said the move was further evidence of the Government's privatisation agenda, and follows on the heels of decisions to allow private companies to own water infrastructure for up to 35 years, and repeal the requirement that councils consult the public before contracting out public services to the private sector.

"Aucklanders don't want the ports flogged off. They fought off privatisation in the 1990s and we'll fight it again now under this National-ACT Government.

"Rodney Hide has been lying to Aucklanders all year. He has rubbished the idea that there is a privatisation agenda for Auckland's assets. Meanwhile he is setting about dismantling the legal protections that give Aucklanders a say before their precious assets are sold off,” Phil Twyford says.

"Rodney Hide is not fit to be Local Government Minister. But this isn’t just about Rodney Hide. These are decisions made by Cabinet, presided over by our perpetually smiling Prime Minister who promised the nation there would be no asset sales in this term of government.

“It’s true, as Rodney Hide said in the House, that the general moratorium in the proposed legislation on the sale of Auckland councils’ assets until 2012 will prevent the ports being sold until after that date. But let’s be clear, this moratorium is designed to pave the way for privatisation after the 2011 general election – a cynical move in itself.

“Rodney Hide suggested to Cabinet that Aucklanders were no longer sensitive about the sale of the ports. If that’s the case he shouldn’t be afraid a referendum would prevent ACT’s policy of privatising the ports being realised. But the truth is 78 per cent of Aucklanders opposed privatisation of infrastructure like the ports according to a recent UMR poll – that’s why he doesn’t want a referendum.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media