Electricity: Time To Address The Hard Questions

NZ First says the proposed new governance board for the electricity industry is well intentioned but unworkable.

Energy spokesperson, Peter Brown, said today that at the time the Government passed its 2001 Electricity Amendment Act, he warned the Minister that an industry governance board controlled and administered by the industry was neither acceptable nor workable.

“However, with the support of the Greens the legislation was passed. The Greens, at the time of giving the support, stated it was a good move for New Zealanders.

“Now they have changed their minds and Ms Fitzsimmons has the audacity to say she always doubted that the industry would be able to sort itself out. That is being economical with the facts to say the least!

“The Minister would be well advised to accept that the present structure of the industry, and its emphasis on profit rather than supply, will never work in the interests of the country.

“We need a system that provides for a guaranteed supply of power at an acceptable price,” said Mr Brown.

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