Mallard should stick to education, says Clark

Prime Minister Helen Clark has given Education Minister Trevor Mallard a public rebuke over his comments about National's foreign policy.

Mr Mallard made a botched attempt last week to link National with American interests provoking a backlash which is perceived as having damaged Labour's election campaign.

Helen Clark said on TV One's Breakfast programme today: "I think what Trevor has drawn from that is he had better stick to education."

Mr Mallard claimed last week that National's policies were "written in Washington" and his remark provoked a statement from the United States Embassy in Wellington saying it had never sought or received any policy commitment from any political party.

Helen Clark added, however, that Mr Mallard was "absolutely right to point to the nature of National's foreign policy, which isn't written in New Zealand's interests and doesn't uphold New Zealand's values and principles".

She claimed National would send combat troops to Iraq if it had the chance.

The Prime Minister said National leader Don Brash did not need anyone else writing the party's policies.

She said: "National's foreign policies generally look like they want to sell New Zealand down the river. We can only draw one conclusion -- if the phone were to go and Don Brash was asked, 'Will you send troops to Iraq,' his answer would be, 'Yes, sir'."

National has vehemently denied US backing of its campaign and deputy leader Gerry Brownlee yesterday repeated the denial, saying it was not influenced by any overseas group or person.

- NZPA