David
CUNLIFFE
Finance Spokesperson

19 July 2011
MEDIA STATEMENT

National guilty of duplicity over asset sales

National has been deliberately misleading in costing the sale of assets like state-owned power companies, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe.

“National has already banked the profits from the sale of assets before it has even tried to obtain its so-called ‘mandate to sell’ at the 26 November election,” David Cunliffe said.

“Now it is trying to imply that funding for new schools, hospitals and essential infrastructure is only available if our assets are sold.

“National’s dodgy accounting ignores the income the Crown will lose as a result of selling our assets,” David Cunliffe said.

“Labour estimates that the cumulative impact on debt of those lost revenues at $9.7 billion by 2025. We challenge National to prove that our estimate is wrong.”

David Cunliffe said National is trying to use its dodgy figures to tell New Zealanders there is no choice but to sell off our assets if funding for new schools, health services and essential infrastructure is to be sustained.

“There is a clear choice, however,” David Cunliffe said. “Labour proved that with its tax package announcement last week. Kiwis can own their own future --- and help make a better New Zealand --- without hocking off precious assets overseas.

“National’s ‘choice’ will never have any credibility until it can explain the $9.7 billion of extra debt it hasn’t accounted for.”

ENDS

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