3 December, 2001

“Unlike the Greens, New Zealand First is going to support the Government and will approve the expenditure necessary to maintain Air New Zealand as our national airline, said New Zealand First Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters today.

Mr Peters was responding to the decision of the Green Party to not support the Government’s Imprest and Supply Bill, expected to be introduced into the Parliament tomorrow, and intended to fund the announced bail out of Air New Zealand and to implement the Superannuation savings scheme.

“Air New Zealand is far too important to all New Zealanders, it being our national carrier and of critical value to our countries exporters and also our Pacific neigbours, and as such, the funding for its continuance is far to significant to become a political pawn or subjected to petty politics, he said.

“Similarly, we believe there to be considerable merit in commencing a sustainable savings plan which will give a degree of certainty to future superannuitants and although we don’t agree with what is presently proposed, in it’s entirety, we can amend it to more accurately reflect the needs of New Zealanders, having cemented in the principals concluded Mr Peters.

ENDS

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