Lies, Damn Lies and Journalism
Today in the SST Finlay Macdonald wrote a piece fulminating about privatisation and Kiwibank in particular. More on the overall thrust, especially re Kiwibank anon.
This paragraph though particularly offended Adam:-
Not to mention the obvious fact that English would kill the goose that laid the golden egg by letting Kiwibank slip into foreign control when most of its customers chose it for precisely the opposite reason
This yet another example of blatant mis-information and emotive re-action. It is an attempt by this ‘journalist’ to sway public opinion, when as yet there is absolutely no indication of what type of sell-down or offer might take place if any at all.
Macdonald’s comment is absolutely outrageous. It is non-factual and an uncharitable commentator might suggest it is an outright lie.
Facts:-
1. Government has said if any state assets are to be sold, then the policy will be set out and National will campaign on the issue at the next election.
2. Many commentators think it would broaden savings opportunities if personal or retail investors were enabled to invest in minority stakes in SOEs and similar enterprises.
3. Many, if not all, commentators assume that government will maintain either a majority stake, or significant blocking minority holding and that trade sales as per Labour in the 1980s and early 1990s will not take place.
4. Labour, example Mallard, have suggested similar approach in the past.
5. This does not mean ‘mums and dads’ buying the asset gain. It means that the state maintains it’s investment and that capital is augmented by those ‘mums and dads’ who choose to invest, a significant difference from the rubbish spouted by Macdonald and the likes of Cosgrove.
But why should we worry about facts when Macdonald and his ilk can say the government is going to sell Kiwibank to Australians, or even worse Foreigners – cue pictures of Chinese and other demonic images – so that the never far from the surface xenophobia of many New Zealanders can be stirred up.
The trouble with all this is that the Governments IT HAS NEVER, NEVER EVER SAID THAT. Why let reality interfere with such a lovely delusion which really gets the ‘journalist’ frothing with faux indignation.
Comments are closed.
“Not to mention the obvious fact that English would kill the goose that laid the golden egg by letting Kiwibank slip into foreign control when most of its customers chose it for precisely the opposite reason”
Why do we care. There is no economic reason for not letting foreigners bid for Kiwibank and one obvious reason for doing so, they may pay more. Xenophobia is not a good basis for making economic policy.
Paul
In one sense I do not care, but I do care when the concept of private ownership is used to promote xenophobia; plus hatred of private enterprise
Adam