Government to spend $120 million

Grey Power is shocked that Government is prepared to spend $120 million to sell its message to New Zealanders, that they should support the proposed asset sales. This was reported in the Star-Times of 20 March 2012.

The money is to be spent on advertising, legal, PR, banking, call centres, and other administrative charges.

Meanwhile Government is imposing a savage restriction on promoters of a petition to give New Zealanders the democratic right to have their say about asset sales.

A mere $50,000 is allowed to be spent on “advertising” the petition. We have been told that “advertising” includes any statement about the petition in any Grey Power Association newsletter, or in its Lifestyle Quarterly magazine that goes to every Grey Power member. It includes all signage that can indicate that the petition can be signed in a particular location.

This advertising cap of $50,000 is onerous regulation. It controls how we can spend our own money exercising our democratic right to free speech on a controversial issue. The $120 million is taxpayer’s money, to be spent in an attempt to confirm Government’s mandate to sell the assets.

The balance is two thousand four hundred to one, in favour of the government’s so-called mandate.

Grey Power considers this a breach of human rights for free democratic speech.
ends

© Scoop Media