Copeland should put his vote where his mouth is

ACT Finance spokesman Rodney Hide today called on United Future's Finance Spokesman Gordon Copeland to put his vote where his mouth is.

"Mr Copeland is complaining that the giant Cullen Super Fund is to be invested offshore. He says it should be invested here in New Zealand.

"But United Future voted for the Cullen Fund. The party's election manifesto makes it clear that United Future supports the legislation. And the legislation makes it quite plain how the Fund is to be invested.

"United Future holds the balance of power. The Government needs their vote. They can hardly complain when the government does something that they don't like. To vote one way and talk another is dishonest politics.

"I have a suggestion for Mr Copeland. He should move that National's Dr Don Brash replace Labour's Clayton Cosgrove as Chair of the Finance and Expenditure. He should then move that the FEC inquire into the operation of the Cullen Fund.

"Dr Don Brash as former Governor of the Reserve Bank is easily the most qualified MP on the committee and should chair the Committee on his merits. The Committee then could get on and do its business with a very fair and internationally respected Chairman.

"The Cullen Fund is to suck in $2 billion a year. It's huge. It will dwarf our own share market. The FEC is the proper body to inquire into this huge fund. Dr Brash is the appropriate chairman.

"It's over to Mr Copeland. He has to decide whether his role in Parliament is just to do what Dr Cullen wants, or whether his job is to his best for the country," Mr Hide said.

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