KEY POINTS:
New Zealand First deputy leader Peter Brown does not intend bringing the Government down by his opposition to controversial tax legislation.
Mr Brown strongly opposed draft legislation introducing a tax on gains earned by individuals with overseas shareholdings. Parliament's finance and expenditure select committee report back on the bill next week, and it is expected to be discussed by the New Zealand First caucus on Tuesday.
Mr Brown is not on the select committee.
The Independent Financial Review yesterday reported that Mr Brown would vote against the bill, a move which would see it defeated if the Greens and the Maori Party opposed the bill.
However, the Greens would abstain if the bill was regarded as a confidence and supply matter, something which could allow Mr Brown to vote on principle.
Mr Brown told the Herald he had opposed the draft bill, but would wait to see the final version before definitively stating his opposition to the legislation.
If he still opposed the bill, Mr Brown said he would seek permission to vote against it, but would follow the party line if ordered.
"Sometimes we allow a split vote, sometimes we don't. Caucus will make that determination," Mr Brown said.
"I'm a loyal member of New Zealand First ... and we are totally committed to the supply and confidence of this Government.
"That would make it a non-event for me, I would have to vote for the bill. I'm not prepared to even threaten pulling the Government down."
A spokesman for New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said Mr Brown's disapproval of the tax bill was a caucus issue, which would be resolved at the party's next caucus meeting.
"It's probably somewhat premature as the report from the select committee has not come out so we're dealing with an unknown quantity."
Party insiders said speculation that Mr Brown's position as New Zealand First deputy leader was under threat was overstating the situation.
However, Mr Brown said he believed someone had deliberately publicised and distorted his opposition to the tax bill.
"It's been hyped up a little bit," he said. "Someone has seen fit to go to the media and tell them I have been opposed to it. I don't know who and I don't know why. I tried to keep it within our own group ... and unfortunately someone has seen fit to go out and say something."
