Mediation role under attack

By VERNON SMALL deputy political editor

National MP Marie Hasler has demanded that Race Relations Conciliator Greg Fortuin explain his role in trying to mediate between the warring factions in the Alliance.

Mr Fortuin chaired at least two meetings involving Alliance president Matt McCarten and leader Jim Anderton's chief adviser, Andrew Ladley.

Mr Anderton did not attend the meetings, but Mr Fortuin's involvement was understood to be Mr Anderton's idea.

"Public servants should not be used to prop up the Government," said Ms Hasler yesterday. "Mr Fortuin, as the holder of an important public office, must explain why he was involved in such an overtly political role."

Failure to observe the neutrality of the office could undermine public confidence in its integrity.

If Mr Fortuin's involvement was Mr Anderton's idea, he had breached ministerial and parliamentary protocol, Ms Hasler said.

Mr Fortuin is on the board of Industry New Zealand, which is under Mr Anderton's ambit as Minister for Economic Development, and of NZ Post which has implemented Mr Anderton's flagship Kiwibank.

Alliance sources said Mr Fortuin made little headway in the face of deep divisions.

Mr Fortuin refused to comment, implying that it was a question about what he did in his private capacity. "I'm happy to talk to you about my 80 hours a week in race relations, but I have no comment on this issue."

Mr Anderton is halfway through a two-week period consulting members about the party's future.

He is expected to engineer a split between the more centrist faction of seven MPs he leads and the left-leaning faction led by Mr McCarten.

Women's Affairs Minister Laila Harre, Mana Motuhake leader Willie Jackson and backbencher Liz Gordon are expected to stay with the party led by Mr McCarten.

To back up their claim that Mr McCarten's faction was preparing to move against the leadership, Mr Anderton's side has pointed to a hand-written note prepared by Mr McCarten showing various options for the party list.

A copy obtained by the Herald shows it to be an A4 page with a series of roughly drawn boxes containing initials corresponding to Alliance MPs and office-holders.

It appears to include an option if all or most of the Anderton loyalists walk from the party, with Ms Harre as leader and Mr McCarten at No 2.

Another option attempts to balance the strength of the two factions among those elected if the party achieves 5 per cent support. MPs Grant Gillon, Liz Gordon, Phillida Bunkle, John Wright, and Kevin Campbell would miss out.