KEY POINTS:
In the second of our series on the state of the parties, the Herald rates the Act Party.
Performance rating this term: 4/10
If it weren't for Rodney Hide's application to the job this year, the score would be lower. But he has refocused on politics after his appearance on Dancing with the Stars marked a transformation in his life.
Assets and liabilities:
Sir Roger Douglas's return will be a beacon for up to 7 per cent of voters who have cast their party vote for Act in previous years and his appearance for the first time on Act's list will almost certainly attract greater funding than it had last time. He may be a turn-off for others, however. The list is very light on women, with only two in the top 10, but mother of five Heather Roy - also known as Private Benjamin for her passion for the Territorials - has not put a foot wrong.
Achievements and failures:
Rodney Hide has strongly branded himself as Epsom MP and an Auckland MP. But in doing so he has weakened the Act Party brand - hence the need to get Sir Roger back. Hide won support to get his Regulatory Responsibility Bill to select committee, but it failed to pass.
He has been less involved in personal attacks than in the past. His prominence in getting NZ First and leader Winston Peters investigated over donations broke that unofficial good-behaviour bond made when he became Epsom MP - but the temptation to expose Peters was too great.
Policies to watch for:
Act is putting great store by its law and order policy this election and has appointed Sensible Sentencing Trust legal adviser David Garrett at position No 5 on the party list.
It is also heavily promoting the holding of Government expenditure - as opposed to slashing it - to no more than adjustments for inflation and population growth.
What it needs to do in the campaign:
Reduce the fear factor associated with the "slash and burn" politics linked to Sir Roger Douglas when he was Labour's reforming finance minister. Convince voters that Act's policies are aimed at increasing the wealth of working New Zealanders, not just big business.
Convince right-leaning voters that Act could have some impact in a National-led government.
