14 Mar 2014

English defends Genesis sale sweeteners

8:45 am on 14 March 2014

Finance Minister Bill English says taxpayers will still get a fair deal from the latest state asset sale, even though potential buyers being offered a much more attractive package than in previous floats.

Shares in Genesis Energy will be sold for between $1.35 and $1.65 each - a lower price than expected - and investors will get one bonus share for every 15 shares they buy.

Mr English told Morning Report the Government has been trying to strike a balance between fair value for taxpayers and solid interest from investors.

"This is our fourth and last float," he said. "It's not the first one, there isn't quite the same hype about it, and so that's why it's structured to make it a bit more attractive."