Cosy threesome at Clark morning tea

There are only so many people - and parties - who can squeeze onto a sofa in Prime Minister Helen Clark's office, as demonstrated yesterday.

Despite supporting the coalition more often than any other party, the Greens were left off the invitation list when Helen Clark held morning tea to mark the record 965th day of the Labour-led coalition Government.

A cosy threesome comprised Jim Anderton, former leader of the Alliance and now the Progressives; and United Future leader Peter Dunne, whose party supports the coalition on confidence issues.

Helen Clark made it clear she expected to continue to work with Mr Anderton in the Cabinet and part of a coalition if Labour led the next Government, and she indicated she would be happy to have the same arrangement with Mr Dunne.

"I'm entirely happy with what we've achieved in this term."

The back-slapping was mutual.

"I think what we have established has become a model for future arrangements," Mr Dunne said.

In Parliament, Greens co-leader Rod Donald had to drag an acknowledgment from Helen Clark of his party's role.

He said it had supported Labour on more bills than any other party and that the passage of 16 pieces of legislation on issues such as occupational safety, accident compensation, climate change, civil union, and the Supreme Court had helped to fulfil the goals of the agreement between the two parties.