By JAMES GARDINER
Energy Minister Pete Hodgson is trying to shore up support for his electricity package as insurance against the Greens and possibly even the Alliance rejecting it.
New Zealand First energy spokesman Peter Brown said yesterday that he had been briefed on the proposals and these had been discussed by the party caucus. He would talk to Mr Hodgson again.
The delayed package, a response to the June report of the electricity inquiry, is due back before cabinet's finance and infrastructure committee today. It will not be discussed by the full cabinet before next month.
A spokesman for Mr Hodgson confirmed that NZ First had been approached but only after being told Mr Brown had mentioned it, saying the briefing took place a few days ago.
Asked why it was necessary to approach other parties for support, he said: "In case he needs it, obviously."
Political sources said Prime Minister Helen Clark may have told Mr Hodgson to seek Opposition support, from National if necessary.
Labour, while in Opposition, refused to back Energy Minister Max Bradford's plan to regulate the electricity networks.
Mr Hodgson's spokesman said: "We wouldn't necessarily say whether we had talked to any particular party about any particular thing."
Mr Brown said the NZ First caucus had concerns about whether small consumers, particularly those on fixed incomes, would be protected under the plan.
National energy spokeswoman Pansy Wong said she had "not yet" been approached by Mr Hodgson but would regard a briefing as "courteous" and good governance if the Government wanted legislative support.
The plan leaves intact National's restructuring - the split of ECNZ and the forced separation of local power suppliers into line and energy businesses.
The Alliance caucus is believed to be largely opposed to the package because it does not address consumer needs sufficiently and largely leaves the industry to govern itself.
But Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton does not want a split with Labour over the issue.
The Greens are worried about the environmental impact of competing power generators and the lack of incentive for small users with big fixed charges to conserve power.
Hodgson woos NZ First for power plan
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