Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones says ownership of capital projects such as hospitals and schools will remain public. Photo / File
National has criticised the Government's foreign investment plan after Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones' appearance on TV this morning.
National's finance spokeswoman, Amy Adams, said Jones' interview on Newshub Nation today proved how conflicted and confused the Government was.
"The minister talked about his frustration around getting projects off the ground.
He's being pressured for more capital to fund infrastructure but Labour's ideological resistance to PPPs [public private partnerships] means a number of important projects are failing to get off the ground," Adams said.
Jones told Newshub Nation private investors will not be able to own things such as schools, hospitals and prisons.
"The private sector will help deliver the creation and the construction, but in terms of equity, no - that remains core ownership Crown assets," he said.
Adams has attacked his comments, saying Kiwis will suffer the consequences of the stance.
"Without being open-minded and innovative around ways to fund new schools, hospitals and prisons, taxpayers will either end up footing more of the bill or we simply won't get the vital infrastructure we need.
"Mr Jones also talked about the need for more foreign investment – just days after the Government severely restricted foreign investment through the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill.
"Then he said he was bringing in more Pacific workers to help plant his billion trees, despite saying immigration is too high and he instead wants to get his 'nephews' off the benefit and into work."
