Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples has moved to clarify the party's position on asset sales after concerns it was being interpreted as showing support for the proposal provided iwi were given preferential rights to buy shares.
Dr Sharples issued a statement this morning saying the party did not support any asset sales at all.
However, if National's policy to sell up to 49 per cent in four SOEs could not be stopped, it was the party's position to support iwi which wanted to buy shares.
"I have said publicly that if Government was ever to be at the point of considering asset sales then I would expect the first conversation about the process to be with iwi, as Treaty partner.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10767616Given that it is well known that if elected John Key has every intention of going ahead with the sales, this statement by Pita Sharples (any relation to Ena?) doesn’t mean a thing. He is sitting on the fence with a leg dangling down both sides.
In other words he is saying, " we are against asset sales.......but if we were to get first option (and a good deal) we would be for it!"
