Greens invite business leaders to hear ideas

The Greens have invited 40 business leaders to a briefing at Parliament on Tuesday to try to allay fears they would be an anti-business force if they joined Prime Minister Helen Clark's next Cabinet.

The Herald's Mood of the Boardroom survey showed a Labour/Greens grouping was the coalition the chief executives feared the most before the election.

Many CEOs were opposed to the Greens' policies on energy and transport.

But Green Party co-leader Rod Donald said the party wants to convince business that its MPs "do not have horns" and to "alleviate concerns by clarifying policies".

Donald suggests business might well approve of some proposed initiatives such as accelerated depreciation for investment in energy efficiency, waste reduction or anti-pollution mechanisms.

On the Greens' invitation lists are the CEOs of major business lobby groups and chief executives from the sustainable business camp and energy, forestry, transport and tourism sectors.

Among the Greens' business-related priorities:

* Soften the impact of rising fuel costs by creating "real transport choices", including properly funded public transport networks and upgraded rail systems.

* Start a Buy Kiwi campaign to help save jobs and generate business.

* Move towards a target of 10 per cent organic production by 2010.