Virtuosos in the art of saying nothing

By VERNON SMALL

Three Government ministers yesterday called a press conference to say almost nothing about Qantas' plan to buy in to Air New Zealand.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen, his associate Trevor Mallard and Transport Minister Paul Swain spent half an hour outlining how they will consider the proposal, but saying nothing about its merits.

Mr Mallard's welcome to reporters set the scene: "The subject is relatively obvious and that is the Government response, or as might become clear over a period of time, lack of Government response."

Cabinet will decide in principle on the deal by December 18 and make a conditional decision on whether it meets national-interest criteria. If the Government gives the go-ahead it will then be up to the Commerce Commission, which will rule by the middle of next year.

Dr Cullen added as little as possible, saying ministers were not making assumptions on whether they would approve the proposals.

"We are not in position to argue for or against or to enter into debate on the proposal itself. Indeed, we are specifically debarred from doing so.

"So all your prepared questions ... you may ask, but you are not going to get answers to them."

Mr Swain did his best to say nothing by adding that as far as the national-interest test was concerned, "we aren't going to make any further comment on whether, or whether not, the proposal meets those" until mid-December.

Their refusal to debate the deal did not stop them bagging its opponents, who Dr Cullen said may change their view "after a bit more analysis and they have read the details more carefully. I think that rules out National and Act from indulging in sensible discourse."

At least they won't be alone.