Supporting brother risky business

By KEITH PERRY

Jim Anderton's brother has admitted that allowing the Alliance leader to use his factory to launch his party's employment policies could be bad for his business.

Brian Anderton, who runs a Penrose-based wireworking factory, said some of his customers did not like the Alliance "and some of them don't like Jim."

Brian Anderton made his comments when asked to pose for photographs at the factory, which the brothers set up and ran together before Jim Anderton moved into politics and sold his stake.

Brian Anderton initially refused the photo requests, saying he could not afford to alienate customers who disagreed with Alliance policies. He later relented.

Minutes earlier Brian Anderton had explained that although his prominent brother had regularly used the firm's premises throughout his political career to show he was a self-made man, he had granted the favour reluctantly.

"I am not a political person at all and I am taking a big risk here. He's my brother. He helps me and I help him. He has come here all the way through his political career, including when he stood for Mayor of Auckland."

Asked if it was a big ask, he replied: "Yes, it is."

Minutes earlier Brian Anderton had joined other staff in the factory's canteen to hear his brother describe how Alliance policies would recreate the climate for small businesses to flourish in - something which National had undermined.

"This company started with Brian and myself. It actually started in Brian's garage," said Jim Anderton.

"The first job we had was making dartboard wires. We started with one person and now we have 40 people.

"The Government of the day had all sorts of policies to assist small businesses. For one thing there was tariff protection for the things we were making, giving us the advantage to get started."

Asked later what he thought of the Alliance's employment proposals, Brian Anderton replied: "I wasn't listening."

Could the Alliance rely on his support in the election? "No comment."