Green spectre stalks leaders at launchings

By VERNON SMALL and AUDREY YOUNG

National and Labour launched their opening bids to lead the next government yesterday, but were forced to wrestle with the prospect of the Greens holding the balance of power.

Mounting another strong attack on the Greens, Prime Minister Helen Clark said she understood their passion over genetic modification but they had gone too far when they threatened to bring down the next government.

But National leader Bill English said she was fear-mongering over the Greens' influence.

In a shift of tone, Helen Clark moved away from pressing for Labour to govern alone for fear the tactic is turning off voters on Labour's left flank and helping the Greens.

Labour's election campaign launch in Auckland's Aotea Centre coincided with National's launch on the North Shore.

In an apparent attempt to dispel impressions that she is being arrogant and seeking too much power, Helen Clark seemed to dilute her push for an absolute majority. She said she had worked with a range of parties as a minority Government.

"Whether we are a majority or a minority government, we will seek to carry on those more collaborative ways of working in a second term."

She said she would work with Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton and his Progressive Coalition party in coalition.

But she again attacked the Greens for their threat to bring down a Labour-led government if it lifted the moratorium on the commercial release of GM organisms in October next year.

"I understand parties being passionate about their issues," she said.

"But when that passion on a single issue becomes destructive of a Labour-led government which is bringing economic growth and social peace and stability, that passion has gone too far."

The Greens have said they would allow a Labour-led government to form after the election, but vote against it if the moratorium were lifted.

Mr English accused Helen Clark of manipulating voters by asking them to give her a majority to keep the Greens out of power.

They would not exercise the threat because the alternative was a National government, he said. National and Labour together could defeat the Greens on GM.

"Labour and National agree with lifting the GE moratorium. End of story. That makes the Greens irrelevant.

"It's as simple as this, Helen. If you're against the Greens you will campaign against them in Coromandel and if you don't, no one can believe a word you say."

Helen Clark has said she will neither discourage nor encourage Labour voters to back Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons in the Coromandel seat.

At the launch, she focused on Labour's record of managing the economy and fulfilling policy pledges.

She unveiled a new credit card with seven promises, including pledges to double the number of modern apprenticeships to 6000 by December next year and boost teacher numbers by 3000 by 2007.

Mr English stressed National's encouragement of diversity in education, competent management of the health system and high expectations for Maori.

"It's time this Government started taking responsibility.

"Helen Clark is apparently responsible for the America's Cup, but the teachers' strike is nothing to do with her.

"She's responsible for the success of The Lord of the Rings - she's certainly got some Hobbits in her caucus - but not the financial scandal in our hospitals."

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