Alliance upset at cash for Greens

Fighting broke out on Labour's left flank yesterday, with the Alliance accusing the Green Party of grandstanding over its unique Budget package.

Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton lashed out during his Budget speech in the first public display of Alliance bitterness over the $15 million of initiatives ring-fenced for the Greens.

In a coup for a non-coalition party, the Greens scored Government agreement for 11 measures, including conservation awareness programmes, beefed-up biosecurity checks and better energy efficiency.

The package enables the Greens' seven MPs to point to direct achievements and convince voters of the influence it has exerted.

Within the confines of the Coalition, however, the Alliance has a more difficult job of branding itself. Mr Anderton was left the task himself, using his speech to outline Alliance gains.

Its biggest ticket, of course, was Mr Anderton's ministerial portfolio, with the industry and regional development plans a prominent theme of the Budget.

For other Alliance triumphs, Mr Anderton pointed to Conservation Minister Sandra Lee's $187 million biodiversity programme and used it to launch his attack on the Greens.

"To put into perspective the package she has achieved, the kiwi recovery programme alone is more significant than the combined elements of all other green initiatives put together.

"No grandstanding, no self-serving amateur dramatics, just delivery."

His comments sparked Green fury.

"We have not grandstanded over this package, we've negotiated in good faith," said the party's co-leader, Rod Donald.

"We think we've built up good will, certainly with the Labour Party. The fact that the Alliance chose not to come to those negotiations is their business and I really think Mr Anderton should reflect before he makes those sorts of statements."

The $15 million of initiatives will be paid for out of the Government's contingency fund and are in addition to the items outlined in the Budget.

The Greens' package includes:

* $4 million for stop-smoking programmes for low-income earners.

* $3 million for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.

* $1 million for environmental legal aid.

Budget 2000 feature

Minister's budget statement

Budget speech