Clark blasts 'radical' National

Prime Minister Helen Clark today defended attacks on National saying the party's "radical" views had to be exposed. 

Helen Clark, who yesterday named September 17 as the election date, said voters faced "stark choices" between Labour's brand of stable and sustainable government and National's big promises, amateurism and inexperience.

"I'm most concentrating on putting forward a positive programme for the election," she told National Radio.

"I am bound to point out that there is a very radical alternative on offer and that alternative in my view doesn't add up and I will say so.

"I don't think you can simultaneously promise less tax, more spending and more borrowing and not greatly destabilise the economic and social investment settings that New Zealand has. It is a very radical alternative."

Labour would campaign on its record, she said.

"When Labour says it will do something it does it. We have delivered a much stronger economy, many more jobs, we have delivered higher living standards."

Yesterday she drew attention to her and Finance Minister Michael Cullen's joint 48 years in Parliament whereas National leader Don Brash and his finance spokesman John Key had just six years.

"Leading a government is not a game for amateurs," she said.

However, Dr Brash told National Radio that while had had three years in Parliament he had 40 years experience "in the real world -- private sector and public sector".

"One of Australia's most successful Labour Prime Minister's Bob Hawke had less than three years in Parliament before becoming Prime Minister. I have no doubt at all that I can handle this job."

Dr Brash said National would announce its tax policy at least four weeks before the election, which he believed was plenty of time for voters to consider the information.

He denied Helen Clark's comment that the policy would see cuts to services.

New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters -- on current polling a likely king-maker after the election -- said experience was vital.

"Experience is important you can't learn on the job in this business and unfortunately too many people have," he told National Radio.

Despite their years in office, he included Helen Clark and Dr Cullen in that group and said inexperienced leadership resulted in people leaving New Zealand.

New Zealand First is to launch its campaign on Sunday in Takapuna.

- NZPA