Dunedin will not be included in the Government's public hearings process on asset sales legislation, something that frustrates Dunedin North MP David Clark.
Dr Clark, part of the finance and expenditure select committee hearing submissions in Wellington yesterday on the sales legislation, told the Otago Daily Times the latest rescheduling of public hearings had been confirmed for Wellington and Auckland, but not Dunedin.
"This will disappoint locals eager to have their voices heard.
"A hearing in Christchurch, still to be confirmed, will allow some South Island submitters to be heard but only if they can attend at such short notice."
Dr Clark could not confirm how many Otago people had made submissions on the asset sales but said the democratic process was the important part to focus on during the hearings.
"We meet 30 people in Wellington as a select committee - sometimes it's 10. It doesn't matter if it's 50 people in Otago. They should have a chance to have their say."
The chopping and changing of schedules illustrated the Government's disregard for the democratic process in its quest to push through the asset sales legislation as quickly as possible, Dr Clark said.
The Government is proposing to partially sell down Mighty River Power, Genesis, Meridian and coal-producer Solid Energy.
It also proposes to sell down its existing shareholding in Air New Zealand to about 51%.
Mighty River Power is scheduled to be partially floated on the NZX in the third quarter of this year.
Dr Clark said of the nearly 1400 submissions received by the finance and expenditure committee, most opposed the legislation.
"The proposed mixed-ownership legislation has been controversial. Opponents allege the removal of social responsibility requirements for power companies will lead to hardship for those unable to afford the inevitable price rises."
The Government was trying to rush through its asset sales legislation in order to avoid the public backlash, he said.
"The unfortunate side effect of this political expediency is likely to be bad legislation that costs all tax payers."
The select committee had been told to limit submitters to five minutes each, but that had now been extended, Dr Clark said.
