Gerry Brownlee MP National Party Deputy Leader

05 June 2005

Lobbying by NZ Post unacceptable

National Party Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee is questioning NZ Post's involvement in a bid to force a referendum on changing the flag.

"Telecom can do what it likes, it is answerable to its shareholders, but NZ Post is owned by the taxpayer. It is now spending taxpayer money on a cause that is clearly not its core business."

Mr Brownlee is commenting after Helen Clark reportedly said Telecom and NZ Post were 'free to make decisions they thought were in the best interests of their company and their shareholders'.

"Helen Clark's ambivalence on this matter is alarming. This has the potential to set a worrying precedent, where State Owned Enterprises are mounting all sorts of political campaigns without Government oversight.

"Labour should instruct NZ Post to focus on its core business," says Mr Brownlee.

ENDS

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