Campaign diary: Here's a curly one, old buddy

A familiar voice on the line

"Dave", a telephone caller to Bill English during Sky TV's election special, accused him of dodging defence questions.

He asked the National leader how much he would spend restoring the combat wing of the Air Force and whether he would bring back the modernised Skyhawks in the interim.

Mr English was non-specific on cost.

"Dave" said the answer was not categorical enough and "of course it dodges the question about the Skyhawks".

The caller was Dr David Dickens, former director of the Centre for Strategic Studies and Mr English's former defence adviser.

Dr Dickens lasted a week in the job in May before deciding it was not for him. He is now spokesman for Save our Squadrons.

Promises, promises

Voters in the northern Maori seat of Te Tai Tokerau (and MPs in Wellington) may or may not be glad to hear that if independent candidate and One Tree Hill axe-man Mike Smith wins the seat, he will "initially refuse to participate in Parliament, preferring instead to work among the people of the North until local solutions to local problems are developed".

A big Kiwi Kid who can do two

Answers to the little questions this election: Bill English has two Weet-Bix for breakfast and his favourite TV programme is Malcolm in the Middle. He decided at 10 that he wanted to be an MP but was too embarrassed to tell his mates. (Questions courtesy of Masterton radio jock at Radioworks HITZ89FM.)

Blank canvass

Prime Minister Helen Clark walked out of an Australian television interview when she was asked about the "Paintergate" police inquiry.

She was being interviewed on Sunday by journalist Michael Hardacre for an ABC programme.

Asked about "the forgery," she said she had "no comment to make of any kind".

"It's not so much the forgery itself as what is being alleged as the subsequent cover-up," Hardacre said.

At that point Helen Clark said the interview was over.

Where the leaders are:

* Helen Clark is in Christchurch.

* Bill English is in Hamilton and Napier.

* Richard Prebble releases defence policy at Ardmore.

* Jeanette Fitzsimons addresses a public meeting at the Blind Centre, 131 Vivian St, New Plymouth, 7.30pm.

* Winston Peters is in Tauranga.

* Jim Anderton speaks to Grey Power in Orewa.

* Laila Harre is in Dunedin.

* Peter Dunne is in Gisborne and Wellington.

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