Removing Bolger would signal KiwiRail sale: Labour

Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Removing former Prime Minister Jim Bolger as KiwiRail chairman would signal the Government's intention to sell the troubled business as soon as it could, says Labour's state-owned enterprises spokesman, Clayton Cosgrove.

Mr Bolger's future at KiwiRail - which he has headed since it was purchased by Helen Clark's Government in 2008 - is looking uncertain after Transport Minister Steven Joyce said the state-owned enterprise's governance needed "refreshing".

Mr Joyce was asked on TV3's new political show, The Nation, to confirm that Mr Bolger would not be reinstated when his term expires in June.

"The governance of KiwiRail is the responsibility of my good friend [State Owned Enterprises Minister Simon Power] but we are looking at refreshing the governance."

Asked to clarify, he said: "My understanding is that we're looking at renewing the governance, but that's for Simon to announce."

Mr Cosgrove said Mr Joyce's comments strongly suggested Mr Bolger was likely to be sacked, and that in turn signalled National's intention to sell KiwiRail and possibly other SOEs. (Mr Bolger is also chairman of New Zealand Post and Kiwibank.)

"If your motivation as a Government was to grow those assets, then this guy's delivered for you. If your motivation is to flog off those assets, then I'd say Mr Bolger is obviously uncomfortable with that and is therefore an impediment."

Mr Cosgrove said the National Government had already indicated it would sell assets if elected for a second term.

"There is evidence they are already readying assets for sale."

Mr Bolger was unwilling to discuss his future with KiwiRail or even NZ Post and Kiwibank yesterday.

A spokesman for Simon Power refused to say whether Mr Bolger will be removed.