KEY POINTS:
The call for cross-party talks on the economy was turned back on National today with both New Zealand First and Labour attacking its stance.
NZ First MP Doug Woolerton said National needed to clearly explain its economic policies if any cross-party talks were likely to be meaningful.
He said his party would not support any "slash and burn" policies that could reduce living standards or increase unemployment.
Prime Minister Helen Clark also accused National of politicking.
"I haven't ruled out such talks but I don't hold out much hope for them either. My experience is that oppositions normally oppose," she told Breakfast on TV One.
Miss Clark believed the Government's approach had been to get New Zealand into a position where it could export at a higher value against a higher currency.
"Really it's a tremendous tribute to Kiwi exporters that the economy has been so resilient through this high dollar period," she said.
But National's finance spokesman Bill English remained unbowed this morning and said urgent action was needed to help exporters.
He said National had some of the answers, including changes to the tax rate, red tape, infrastructure costs, and labour law would make a difference.
"These are a well known list of things that exporters have been looking for," he told Radio New Zealand.
National Distribution Union (NDU) national secretary Laila Harre agreed reform was needed and the industry needed to get together to find answers. She said the urgent problem to tackle was high interest rates.
"What we need to do is tackle the issues that are driving inflation at its source," Ms Harre said.
Employers & Manufacturers' Association (EMA) president Alastair Thompson said last week it met Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson to talk about the issues and there were areas of agreement.
- NZPA
