28 November 2013

Greens won’t support National inflating internet prices

“The Green Party will not be supporting any legislation introduced by National to override the Commerce Commission’s final determination on copper pricing,” Green Party information technology spokesperson Gareth Hughes said today.

“The National Government should respect the decision of our independent pricing regulator and not look to interfere in copper-line internet pricing to bolster Chorus’s profits,” said Mr Hughes.

“The Green Party would also not support action by John Key to kick the issue to touch by delaying the implementation of the Commission’s ruling set to take place on December 1, 2013. We need lower prices now.

“The Commission has decided to cut monthly wholesale copper-line based internet services by 23 percent resulting in a $100 million yearly windfall to New Zealand consumers and businesses.

“Cheaper internet is good for New Zealand households and businesses and will not unduly impact on the uptake of fibre which competes more on performance, less on price.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time National have used legislation to transfer public wealth to large corporations,” Mr Hughes said.

“National’s Sky City legislation and $30 million cash pay-out to Rio Tinto’s Tiwai Point paint a picture of a Government beholden to corporate lobbying rather than protecting the interests of New Zealanders.”

ends

© Scoop Media