Big parties hope for clear result

By Audrey Young

National and Labour are seizing on the threat by Winston Peters to block their tax plans as a compelling reason for a clear-cut result.

The main parties are even suggesting the other as a better alternative to the possible complexity of a government involving New Zealand First.

Mr Peters said he might yet sit on Parliament's cross-benches and vote issue by issue.

But he would oppose both National's tax cuts planned for next year and Labour's 6c tax rise on income over $60,000, which will fund many of the party's election promises.

Labour deputy leader Michael Cullen said: "We cannot afford to have a situation where Mr Peters tries to hold either potential government to ransom.

"I would simply hope that people get a clearer understanding of the MMP system and recognise that if they want a Labour-led government they need to vote for the Labour Party on the party vote and a National-led government for the National Party on the party vote.

"At this stage Mr Peters appears to be making either a Labour-led or National-led government impossible."

Seven-pound weaklings needed to remember when they drew lines in the sand that the sand got kicked back in their face if they were not careful, said Dr Cullen.

Prime Minister Jenny Shipley said the decision was in the hands of voters.

"If they don't want the complexity of MMP, then they cast their vote for the major parties."

Meanwhile, Mr Peters has suggested that if his party sits on the cross-benches holding the balance of power, he might not do a deal first with either party on confidence.

A recent example of a party that has sat on the cross-benches is Act. It has not been part of the executive, it has voted issue by issue, but it did so with a pledge from the outset to support the minority National Government on confidence and supply.

Mr Peters, asked if sitting on the cross-benches meant he would also support a particular party on confidence and supply, said: "No, it doesn't mean that at all.

"It means you look at the issues issue by issue and you vote on their merits."

Act leader Richard Prebble said last night that if his party held the balance of power, it would rather force a new election than support a National-NZ First coalition or Labour-Alliance.

"If we can't get a government, then let's have another election," he said on TVNZ's Crossfire.

In the event of a National-Act coalition, he would be "very reluctant" to accept the support of NZ First - though Mr Peters has ruled that out.