Greens want policy action for support

The Greens expect to get some of their policies through in exchange for their ongoing support of Labour, Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said today.

The party had no bottom lines going into talks this week but being in coalition was the preference, she said.

"Clearly we will be expecting a policy dividend for Green voters," she told National Radio.

"We didn't come here not to deliver anything on Green policies and our supporters will expect that."

Caretaker Prime Minister Helen Clark has downplayed the importance of coalitions, saying there were a range of relationships other parties could form with Labour.

Ms Fitzsimons said some Green goals could be achieved from outside Cabinet -- mainly things that required simple changes such as raising the minimum wage.

But more complex policy was hard to push from outside.

"We found that in our first term here where we got budget initiatives -- ministers agreed to them but because we weren't running it or in charge of the officials it didn't work out."

Ms Fitzsimons said the Greens were going into talks with "a lot of options on the table".

"Helen Clark will make up her own mind as to what is going to give her the strongest government and I think the Greens have got a lot to contribute in a number of areas."

The Greens had not ruled out working with any other party and were dismissive of United Future for ruling out working together.

Ms Fitzsimons said Peter Dunne's party was not in a strong bargaining position with only three seats.

NZ First leader Winston Peters has also expressed discomfort with a Labour-Greens coalition.

"Winston has more (seats) but I don't think any of us know what Winston does want. I look forward to talking to him at some stage and saying 'what is the problem here and how can we resolve it?' "

She indirectly criticised the other parties for their approach.

"I think that's the duty of every party actually once they've been elected by the people -- to try put together a strong government in the interests of the country."

- NZPA