Local Grey Power applaud Shearer

If Labour leader David Shearer was looking for a bunch of supporters, he found them yesterday when he spoke to members at the Rotorua Grey Power meeting.

The leader of the opposition didn't find too much opposition to his policies when he and fellow MP Phil Twyford spoke to a group of about 40.

Many were concerned about the way the country was heading in - and Mr Shearer found himself agreeing with a lot of their concerns.

The only area that seemed to strike a difference of opinion was around the same sex marriage bill - with one woman claiming it was legalising "lust", something Mr Shearer seemed to laugh off.

After giving a brief background about himself, he answered questions relating to his views on asset sales, charter schools and power prices.

He spent the day in Rotorua with visits to local business Lockwood as well as speaking at a Grow Rotorua business breakfast.

At the Grey Power meeting one woman said she was so concerned about power prices that despite a drop in temperatures she hadn't turned on the electric blanket.

She was concerned power prices would only rise with the sale of state assets - and Mr Shearer agreed.

He conceded that many were suffering with the high cost of power bills and said it was only likely to get worse with the sale.

Mr Shearer also thanked those at the meeting for their contribution in helping to get signatures for a referendum on the issue.

More on Mr Shearer's visit to Rotorua - p14