Asset sales select commitee hearings a perversion of democracy

This news disappeared almost as soon as it appeared, and naturally didn't make it into the print media.

It appears that Treasury has already made its report – so the democratic process of submission to select committee is uncecessary – except as a figleaf.

People who have made made submissions have been asked by National members who they voted for. No doubt their positions will have been noted.


Remember 80% of New Zealanders are against asset sales

Democracy, for all intents and purposes, is dead in this country.

Asset sales hearings labelled a farce

Treasury wrote its report on the select committee hearings into the Government's partial asset sales legislation before they were finished.

Radio New Zealand,

24 May, 2012

Wednesday was the last day of hearings by the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on the Mixed Ownership Model Bill.

Submitters in the committee room heard that Treasury officials had already written their report, before all submitters had had their say. Opposition parties say this is reprehensible.

Labour says the Government does not care what people think and it has treated submitters with contempt.

The Green Party says it shows the Government never had any intention of listening to the submitters.

But committee chair Todd McClay (National) says the select committee has shown nothing but respect to submitters.

While he would not comment on the current bill, he said Treasury has written reports early in other cases.

The committee will report back to Parliament on or before 16 July.