KEY POINTS:
Prime Minister Helen Clark opened the Labour Party election-year Congress in Wellington last night praising the decision of Cabinet ministers David Parker and Clayton Cosgrove to block the sale of 40 per cent of Auckland Airport to a Canadian pension fund.
She made the comments as she was geeing up delegates to campaign to reach people who shared Labour's values she described as "fairness, opportunity and security for all".
It was a phrase she repeated through the speech.
"We must keep listening to New Zealanders, just as our ministers have over the ownership of Auckland International Airport - a strategic and iconic asset for New Zealand," she said to resounding applause.
Talking to reporters later, she rejected a suggestion that such comments - implying a political motive in the decision - could be grounds for judicial review.
After eight and a half years in Government, she told delegates, incumbency could be a strength for Labour and in an indirect attack on National leader John Key she said: "The New Zealand Labour Party and my team and I are not an ad man's creation and we are not an empty brand."
Helen Clark said Labour had values, beliefs, policy, substance and proven experience and vision.
"Incumbency for our Labour Government can be a strength and not a liability. That's what gives me the strength to step up again for a fourth term as leader of a Labour-led Government."
