Brash 'flipflop' website launched

Labour has launched a satirical website attacking National leader Don Brash for policy "flipflopping".

Labour strategist Trevor Mallard said the www.gonebylunchtime.com site was an attempt by Labour to inject some lighthearted humour into the election campaign, though it did have serious undertones.

The website features an animated Dr Brash reading out quotes highlighting different position on issues such as the nuclear free law, the war in Iraq, forestry, defence funding and potential coalition partners.

Dr Brash's voice on the website is imitated by Labour whip Darren Hughes.

Mr Mallard said the site underlined that Dr Brash found it difficult to maintain a policy position.

"You can make Don Brash flipflop again and again - just like he does in real life," Mr Mallard said.

National has taken a lead over Labour in recent polls, but Mr Mallard said he still believed voters were beginning to see that Dr Brash made public comments which hid a secret agenda.

Some political commentators believe that voters do not mind Dr Brash making gaffes as they do not perceive him as a politician.

Mr Mallard said Dr Brash was running out of credit in this area and continued to show a lack of knowledge about crucial policies

"There is a limit to the number of mistakes people are allowed to make."

Dr Brash was asked today on National Radio about the mistakes he made on policy areas, Dr Brash said he believed he had more detailed knowledge of policy "than most political party leaders".

He was caught "offguard" by National's housing policy as he had not realised it had been put on the website that day.

"I'd been preoccupied with a whole range of other things. I hadn't read it recently. But I'm very comfortable answering questions on any policy you care to name."

He said yesterday that he had made a "mistake" when saying National would retain universal health subsidies in areas where these were already in place.

On Monday, Dr Brash said he did not know if National would reintroduce market rents for state housing tenants.

But this was a feature of National's housing policy released that day.

- NZPA