8 Jun 2012

Asset sales process undemocratic - Labour

10:29 pm on 8 June 2012

Labour says the Government abused the democratic process by rushing through legislation to allow partial asset sales.

The Finance and Expenditure Select Committee has completed its report on the Mixed-Ownership Model Bill, which will now head back to Parliament.

LabourState Owned Enterprises spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove says the Government put legislation through the select committee process to make sure it's right.

But he says the draft legislation is flawed. He says there is no guarantee New Zealanders will be first in the queue and submitters have not had a chance to put forward suggestions that could improve it.

State Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall won't comment on the report because it has not been tabled yet.