We were critical yesterday that business seemed a bit slow off their mark in commenting on the Government's dangerous policy change announced late on Monday. It was therefore pleasing to see so many people prepared to speak out about the changes and question the process and impact on radio, TV and in the print media today. Aside from a few journalists, the PM, Dr Cullen and the Green/NZ First lapdogs we haven't heard any positive reaction.
What hasn't been made clear is that Government has not wanted this deal to go through since day 1. They tried to screw the scrum last week by altering the tax law, but that only made the problem worse. the difference between the Canadian offer and the price on the NZX widened thus increasing the appeal of the Canadian offer. Monday's decision has only amplified this effect.
Will the Ministers who end up getting this problem say yes? We doubt it, given what Cullen and the PM have been saying in the last 24 hours.
What concerned us most was the PM's comment yesterday - "I am an Aucklander, etc." It was pure NIMBYism. What a poor example to the rest of the country.
We are also angry at the attempts to use our Overseas Investment Regulations for political purposes - to cover up for last week's fuck-up on the tax law changes, to shore up votes in Auckland, and to encourage NZ First and the Greens back onto Helen's lap.
John Armstrong, writing in the NZ Herald suggests that the Government had its best day in the office this year - we are not so sure. The Government, in one stroke of the pen just made some big enemies. A very brave call in election year when you are so behind in the polls.
