Private sector power companies charge about 12% more for electricity than their state-owned counterparts, says independent energy analyst Molly Melhuish, who warns the Government's asset sales plan will drive prices higher.
Labour says the Government has moved to prematurely shut down public consultation on its "mixed ownership model" legislation to stifle politically embarrassing information like Mrs Melhuish's analysis.
Mrs Melhuish, one of the majority of the 1400 submitters who opposed the Government's Mixed Ownership Model Bill, on Wednesday produced fresh analysis supporting her claim private power companies charge more than state-owned ones.
She also produced research showing residential power increases in New Zealand outstripped those in other developed countries over the long term and this was the only developed country where power prices continued to rise rather than fall in the recession.
But Opposition MPs on Parliament's finance and expenditure committee, which is considering the Bill, say proper consideration of her research by Treasury officials would not now be completed before the legislation is reported back to Parliament.
The Bill was scheduled to be reported back on July 16 but committee chairman Todd McClay decided last week consideration of the Bill would conclude this week. On Wednesday, he confirmed he expected the Bill to be reported back to Parliament for its second reading next week.
That decision comes after a series of public hearings which were marked by bitter sniping between Government and Opposition MPs and complaints submitters were not being given enough time to air their views.
Greens co-leader Russel Norman said the process had been undemocratic.
"It's been very rushed, there hasn't been proper consideration of the submissions or the concerns raised in the submissions. We've had inadequate information from Treasury because they haven't had enough time either.
"Obviously, the Government's trying to rush it through for political reasons because it's a hot potato."
Labour finance spokesman David Parker said Government arguments in supporting the asset sales plan had been "thoroughly unpicked by the submitters".
" ... it's become clear that it will increase power prices, increase asset inequality, increase the Government deficit and, over the long term, increase the current account deficit leaving New Zealand worse off."
Mr McClay said July 16 was only the deadline and "the committee was able to get through its work before that time".
He rejected the Opposition claims it was a rushed process, saying there had been eight meetings where 150 submissions were heard.
