17 Apr 2019

Govt considers 'national interest' test for foreign companies

From Morning Report, 7:40 am on 17 April 2019

The government is considering a new "national interest" test for screening major investments by foreign companies. It says it needs the power to stop purchases that might harm public health and safety, and that the test will be applied sparingly. The test would look at whether the investment could threaten national security, impinge on iwi or water rights, or if it covers essential infrastructure such as power lines or airports. Critics are worried such a test will scare off foreign investors. The National Party's finance spokesperson, Amy Adams, says there are already strong regulations around monopoly infrastructure and the government could be putting much-needed investment at risk for the sake of ideology. Associate Finance Minister David Parker talks to Guyon Espiner.