Why National's plans for partially privatising our assets is a bad idea

[SPman]

The latest Horizon Poll has NZ First at over 10% !!

[Spearfish]

Interestingly, a few chaps at work have decided to vote for winnie. The reason they state is that they can't trust either major party (one person being a dyed-in-the-wool labour supporting unionist!) but want someone in parliament who will happily keep an eye on them and speak out if needed.

My prediction of winnie being ousted this time around, may be well off of the mark if others are feeling the same way about the "majors".

Good luck with that plan

[rainman]

Owe currently have a significant amount of debt

No, in global terms, we don't. Although we do need to manage our deficit growth (yes, with some tough decisions on both revenue and spending sides of the equation), it's not a crisis. Yet. Don't believe the FUD from the Nats, they are just lying as usual.

I thought the law was going to be changed so no single entity (outside of our government) could legally own more than 10%.

How do you think they are going to do that without the WTO and the like leaning on us?

My prediction of winnie being ousted this time around, may be well off of the mark if others are feeling the same way about the "majors".

I listened to the minor parties leaders debate on Morning Report today.I think we should ignore all of the Nat and Labour votes and let the little guys sort it out. Some good behaviour and good ideas in that session. Even from Winnie.

[darkwolf]

The key is not to get into the position that Greece and Italy are in.

As I said, I'm all for keeping the assets to help generate the most revenue, but I wouldn't hang my hat on growth to get the country out of debt. Therefore, if there is an alternative which allows us to keep the assets and to keep the debt levels from increasing then I'm all for it. Given the worst of the two evils then... sell the assets.

[Motig]

But we've sold assets before so we should be debt free ay When we dont own anything what do we do next time ? That said my believe is that essential services (power,water,hospitals and the like) should be owned by the state for the people. Things like airlines however I don't feel are essential so can go.