Campaign day 10: Something to worry about on victory day

By VERNON SMALL

GE stands for general election and genetic engineering, but not grumpy electorate.

Today's Herald-DigiPoll survey confirms the conclusion journalists and political parties' focus-group work had reached - contented voters are not about to throw the Government out on the central issue of economic management.

But they might be prepared to give Labour some awkward bed-fellows on more peripheral issues - in particular the Greens and their tough line on GE and NZ First with its increasingly strident stance against Asian immigration.

Both minor parties are on the rise, but present different problems for Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Winston Peters will back her without any overt "ultimatum", and he is a crucial part of the supporting cast for Michael Cullen's superannuation fund.

But he will look for concessions on his crime, Treaty of Waitangi and immigration bandwagon, which Clark says is "anathema" to Labour.

The Greens are rooted to their bottom line on the GE moratorium and are super-fund sceptics. But on social policy, they have far more in common with Labour than does Peters.

GE has been on the slow burner for several days now, overshadowed by the Paintergate firefight, but it could be ready to flare again.

Rumours are rife in Green circles of another report, due out today, that will thrust it back into the headlines.

It was already beginning to bubble again yesterday.

Controversy over a Northland tamarillo field trial, and then Pete Hodgson's refusal to release a Law Commission report on liability for GE contamination, gave the Greens new ammunition.

Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons challenged Labour to accept responsibility for "accidents" involving the release of GE organisms into the environment.

Bill English backed the Government on the report - National sees no advantage in giving the Greens and GE any more mileage.

One poll below 50 per cent, and a steady rise for the Greens and NZ First, will not provoke panic in Labour's ranks. With 48 per cent, plus Jim Anderton, Clark could still hope for a slim majority.

But the poll gives a foretaste of the questions Clark and her advisers might face on Sunday, July 28, if the minor parties continue to make headway. Winston or the Greens: Either? Neither? Or both?

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