Greens' coalition list sticks to GM-free policy

By KEVIN TAYLOR, political reporter

The Green Party would consider coalition with Labour after the next election, but GM is still likely to be a big sticking point.

Co-leader Rod Donald told the party's annual conference in Wellington on Saturday that the Greens would enter coalition talks, should they arise, with several policy priorities.

Keeping New Zealand GM free was one but the Greens would not be laying down any bottom lines this time on how that aim might be achieved.

Relations between the parties soured before the 2002 election over Labour's plan to lift the moratorium on commercial release of GM organisms.

The moratorium ended last October but since then no applications have been filed with the regulators and the Greens continue to entertain the hope they can keep New Zealand GM-free.

What the party might propose to keep GM out is unknown, although one idea being floated is for a financial liability regime so tough that applicants would be frightened off.

Despite questions over the success of any coalition talks because of the policy differences, Labour has welcomed the Greens' stance.

Prime Minister Helen Clark, who is in Europe, told television news that the last election was difficult because of the Green decision to take Labour head-on over a single issue.

"I'm pleased that that single issue is not the barrier that it has been to further co-operation."

National's deputy leader, Gerry Brownlee, said it would help the party if Labour and the Greens were seen to be moving closer together.

"The Greens are an extreme party. The Greens cuddling up to Labour are not going to do them any good whatsoever."

Mr Donald told the conference that a party vote for the Greens was a vote for a Labour-led Government.

Priorities for the Greens in any coalition talks would include protecting the environment, advancing social polices, economic sustainability, a universal student allowance, no support for unilateral foreign interventions and remaining nuclear free.

Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said Labour was aware it would need a support party. United Future was now leaning more towards National.

In his speech Mr Donald urged greater effort to get potential supporters to vote, as victory for Labour might rest on how well the Greens do in mobilising support.

"Survival of the Greens and survival of the centre-left is what's driving us," Mr Donald later told the Herald.

"I'm confident that we will reach an agreement on GE."

Despite offering the olive branch on a coalition, Mr Donald said the Greens would not moderate criticism of Labour in the election lead-up.

"It'll be a case of credit where it's due and criticism where it's needed."

In her keynote speech Ms Fitzsimons accused Labour of never bothering to explain its policies, allowing National leader Don Brash's Orewa race speech to gain voters' sympathy.

She also accused Labour of lacking leadership over looming energy crises, including not having any response to rocketing oil prices.

Yesterday, Green MP Sue Kedgley called the Government "two-faced" for campaigning behind the scenes against efforts for mandatory country-of-origin labelling on imported food.

Green Party priorities

* Protection of the environment, including no release of GM organisms.

* Maintain nuclear-free status.

* Advance social policies including more money for beneficiary and low-income families, pay equity, and a higher minimum wage.

* Economic sustainability and move towards economic self-reliance.

* Universal student allowance.

* No support for unilateral foreign intervention like the US invasion of Iraq.