A small but determined group of protesters gathered on the steps of Parliament in Wellington this afternoon ahead of the expected passing of legislation that will allow the partial sell-off of state assets.
The Government's partial assets sales bill passed the committee stage in Parliament this afternoon after being held up yesterday by Opposition delaying tactics and is set to become law early next week.
A protest aimed at protecting New Zealand for future generations attracted about 1000 people in Dunedin on Saturday.
As partial asset sales legislation is "rushed" through Parliament, Labour's Dunedin North MP David Clark decries the policy and the process.
The Government's financial situation could not be used as justification for a programme of partial state-owned asset sales, Berl chief economist Ganesh Nana said yesterday.
Asset-stripping concerns have been raised about more than 90 subsidiary companies attached to the four state-owned enterprises which the Government is preparing for partial sale.
Thousands of people have turned out in Auckland today to protest against the government's plan to sell off its stakes in state-owned companies.
National's asset-sale plan passed its first legislative hurdle on Thursday with a warning it was necessary to avoid a Greek-style debt crisis, but the Opposition blames the Government for creating debt problems with its tax cuts.
A further step in the sale process for four of New Zealand's state-owned assets was taken yesterday when the Government introduced legislation to Parliament supporting its mixed ownership model.
About six members of an audience of more than 200 at St Paul's Cathedral yesterday evening approved of the idea of government asset sales before a debate on the subject. Only four, including...
The Government has acknowledged that the state-owned power company profits it will lose as a result of partially selling them will exceed the savings from the resulting reduction in debt.
Finance Minister Bill English is likely to face protests today when the asset sales consultation processes moves south to the Murihiku marae in Invercargill.
Prime Minister John Key has told iwi the Government could yet agree to a Treaty of Waitangi clause in legislation on the partial sale of state assets.
The Government's proposed asset sales programme has implications for Waitaki River stakeholders, writes Elizabeth Soal.
Maori political leaders are urging iwi to object strongly to suggestions the Government will not include protection of Treaty of Waitangi rights in planned legislation on partial state asset sales.
State-owned energy companies earmarked for partial sale are generating returns well in excess of the Government's cost of owning them and outperform most similar private sector companies, says a report released just before Christmas.
The Government remains confident that 85% to 90% of the state-owned enterprises will remain in the hands of New Zealanders as the partial sell-down of Mighty River Power is announced.
Mighty River Power has been confirmed as the first state company that will have shares sold off under the Government's partial asset sales programme.
