Frank old boy!
Have seen the movie "bowling for Columbine" but as far as I know the only thing that the Howard Govt and FIRB (foreign investment review board) did wrong was to allow Air NZ to purchase the remaining 50% of Ansett without being able to either really afford it and knowing that they had absolutely no chance of injecting capital for a fleet replacement which was sorely needed.
In my eyes you can level the blame squarely at Air NZ but yes others did play a role.
I dont think the govt should have bailed out AN because they would probably bankrupt the country if a precedent is set.
Should they have supported HIH/One Tel/etc and what is yet to come?
A sad day in the annals of aviation but like many other things in this world it should never have happened.
Last edited by 1013; 17th Feb 2003 at 05:08.