Norman Russel: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeNorman Russel: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 September 2013. Volume:693;Page:13148. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]6.Dr RUSSEL NORMAN (Co-Leader—Green) to theMinister for State Owned Enterprises: Will the Government suspend its asset sales programme until a referendum on the issue has been held given the Clerk of the House has certified that 327000 New Zealanders or more than 10 percent of voters have signed a petition triggering that referendum?Hon TONY RYALL (Minister for State Owned Enterprises): No.Dr Russel Norman: Does he agree with John Key’s comments of 25 June 2008 in support of the public’s right to have citizens initiated referenda like this one where John Key said: “I actually have respect for the New Zealand public’s right to express their views …” and went on to say that a Prime Minister who opposes that is “arrogantly out of touch with New Zealanders”?Hon TONY RYALL: Of course I would have to agree with the Prime Minister.Rt Hon Winston Peters: You always do.Hon TONY RYALL: I always do. But I am not able to necessarily confirm the quote that the member has given to the House.Dr Russel Norman: Can he confirm that if the Government proceeds with its privatisation programme before the referendum is held this will mark the first time a Government has actively implemented a policy that is the subject of a valid citizens initiated referendum petition without giving the public a chance to vote in the referendum?Hon TONY RYALL: The Government has already begun to implement its policy in respect of the mixed-ownership model. We have already sold 49 percent of Mighty River Power. As a result of that we have $1.7 billion of cash which is earmarked for important public services like Christchurch Hospital. I would draw the member’s attention to the fact that even though 87 percent of New Zealanders who voted in the anti-smacking referendum opposed that legislation that member opposite said that people should ignore that referendum.Dr Russel Norman: Is he aware that contrary to that referendum which actually happened after the policy was implemented this Government has an opportunity to suspend the sale of Meridian Energy and the other energy companies while waiting for the people of New Zealand to give their opinion on the issue of asset sales through a referendum which has now been initiated?Hon TONY RYALL: I do not agree with that member’s statements because this Government announced in January 2011 its proposals around the mixed-ownership model. They were then detailed in the Budget of 2011 which I think was in May. The model was then the centrepiece of the 2011 general election. The Leader of the Opposition at the time described the election as a referendum on asset sales in New Zealand and the National Party received by far the largest number of votes of any party. The Labour Party received the lowest number of votes that it had ever received in a general election in recent times. It is clear from that election that this Government has the support to implement its policy. If we were not implementing our promises the Opposition would be complaining.Dr Russel Norman: Well with regard to the Minister’s answer which addresses the question of mandate I believe is he aware that 51 percent of voters in the last election voted for parties that are opposed to the asset sales programme and that on every poll that has been done on the issue since more than 60 percent of New Zealand voters have opposed the asset—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am going to ask the member to repeat that question because I had trouble hearing it.Dr Russel Norman: In light of the Minister’s answer which goes to the question of mandate is the Minister aware that at the last election 51 percent of votes cast were cast in favour of parties that opposed asset sales and that since that election every poll has shown that more than 60 percent of New Zealanders are opposed to his asset sales programme; hence why will he not test his mandate by putting it to a referendum?Hon TONY RYALL: Actually what matters is that more people voted to enable National to form a Government than to enable any other single party to form a Government. What the member needs to know is that once you are in Government youare expected to honour the pledges of your campaign. We had one of the highest results in our party’s history and we are proceeding to implement our policies. They are important because we need that money in order to invest in important social assets like the Christchurch Hospital rebuild and important schools through the 21st century schooling project. The money is vital to that social investment and is actually of greater benefit to New Zealanders.Dr Russel Norman: Will the Government accept the Green Party’s offer along with Labour’s from earlier in question time to allow the referendum to be delayed until the next election in exchange for the Government suspending the asset sales until we have that debate at the next election alongside the referendum where the people of New Zealand will get to decide whether the asset sales proceed?Hon TONY RYALL: No because the Government wants to proceed with its programme. It is fundamental to two important areas. One is that it helps New Zealand control debt and the second is that it provides us with the resources to invest in important social infrastructure: Christchurch Hospital roading projects the 21st century schools project and the justice precinct in Christchurch. They are important investments that will benefit New Zealanders and that is why we are determined to keep on with our programme.Dr Russel Norman: Is the Minister aware of Treasury’s projection that the Government’s operating balance is worse off by about $100 million a year as a result of asset sales; and hence why is the Government determined to go ahead with these asset sales in spite of the blowout in the cost—well over $100 million—the ongoing loss of net profits overwhelming public opposition to it and the failure of the Mighty River Power float which attracted fewer than half of the Minister’s predicted retail investors?Hon TONY RYALL: I really would dismiss that member’s characterisation of a number of issues. The Mighty River Power sale has actually been quite successful. The Government has $1.7 billion in cash and 113000 shareholders despite the economic sabotage of the members opposite. The important reason why we are doing this is that it not only helps control debt but it provides us with the resources to invest in important social infrastructure like Christchurch Hospital. If that member is opposed to the Christchurch Hospital rebuild I invite him to go to Christchurch and tell them that. I invite him to also say why he is opposed to investing $1 billion in 21st century schools. That is of real benefit to New Zealand families.