14 June 2012

Referendum must precede any asset sales

The Green Party has today written to the leaders of all other parties calling on them to support an amendment to the Mixed Ownership Model Bill that would prohibit any sales, should the legislation pass, until after Kiwis have had their say in the citizens-initiated referendum, Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman said today.

Just five weeks after the Keep Our Assets petition was launched, the Green Party has already collected over 30,000 signatures of its 100,000 target as a member of the Keep Our Assets Coalition. Other coalition members are also reporting extremely strong support. Once the petition has the required signatures and has been presented to Parliament, the law requires the Government to hold a referendum within 12 months.

“Whether or not the Government’s asset sales legislation has the numbers to pass through Parliament, it would be completely inappropriate and undemocratic for asset sales to proceed while a referendum on the issue is looming,” said Dr Norman.

“Kiwis are signing up to the asset sales petition in droves. Make no mistake, there will be a referendum on asset sales.

“My amendment would prohibit asset sales until the referendum is held, even if the asset sales legislation passes.

“I am urging other parties, whether they support asset sales or not, to vote for my amendment to let Kiwis vote in the referendum before any sales happen. It is the right thing to do.

“It would be an insult to the people of New Zealand for the Government to try to sneak through sales of our assets before we get to have our say,” said Dr Norman.

Further information:
Copy of Russel Norman’s Supplementary Order Paper prohibiting asset sales prior to the referendum
[Scoop copy: supplementary_order_paper_37__mixed_ownership_model_bill.pdf]

ENDS

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