Cullen quashes rumours he'll quit

Michael Cullen and Helen Clark. File picture / Mark Mitchell

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen said today he intended to stand in the next election and did not have his sights set on the Speaker's chair.

Dr Cullen's comments followed speculation that he may quit Parliament before the next election.

This was fuelled by Prime Minister Helen Clark telling The Listener magazine last week she did not know whether he would deliver all three budgets before the 2008 election.

Today Dr Cullen told reporters he liked both his Tertiary Education and Finance Minister jobs.

He "very strongly" anticipated keeping the education job in 2008 "but I'm not giving up the daytime job either".

"I like tertiary education because there are some interesting intellectual challenges around trying to change the system while not destroying it," he said.

Dr Cullen said he also enjoyed the budget process.

Asked how long he would be Finance Minister he said was waiting for "certain matters to be clarified" but "I see my longevity as being reasonably long. That includes the next election at this stage."

He said Helen Clark wanted to leave him space about his decision but she made it clear she did not want him to go.

"And I am very grateful for that."

He dismissed speculation he would be interested in becoming the next Speaker.

"Ever seen a major player become the referee? How would I stop playing? I'd get myself into trouble very quickly wouldn't I?"

Helen Clark said today she was "very happy" that Dr Cullen would around for the next election.

"I would very much like to see the 34-year history we have got of working together go on," she said.

The Prime Minister said she "totally" supported Dr Cullen remaining finance minister, deputy prime minister and deputy leader of the Labour Party.

- NZPA