Two weeks to wait as Clark weighs choices

By VERNON SMALL and JOHN ARMSTRONG

It could be two weeks before the likely shape of the Government is known after Helen Clark yesterday began talks with the leaders of the two parties whose support she seeks.

United Future's Peter Dunne and the Greens' co-leaders saw the Prime Minister and Finance Minister Michael Cullen in separate meetings lasting about 40 minutes.

Afterwards, Mr Dunne, accompanied by his chief adviser, Mark Stonyer, was circumspect, saying he would brief his caucus this morning on discussions with Helen Clark about possible working arrangements.

He described the meeting as "warm and friendly".

He indicated that all options regarding support for a Labour-led Government - including not having a relationship at all - were still on the table.

"It is far too soon to start speculating about any of that. This was only the first meeting," Mr Dunne said.

"I'm not ruling anything in or anything out."

Further meetings would be scheduled in coming days.

Labour and Jim Anderton's Progressive Coalition command 54 seats in the 120-seat Parliament.

Helen Clark has indicated that she wants to secure support for a minority Government from both the Greens, with eight MPs, and United Future, with nine.

Green co-leaders Jeanette Fitzsimons and Rod Donald described their meeting with Helen Clark as amicable.

Nothing, including a coalition, was off the table, they said.

The Greens' principal adviser, Deb Moran, also attended.

Ms Fitzsimons said they did not discuss policies, but the moratorium on commercial release of GM organisms was identified as something they needed to talk about.

She noted that United Future's position on GM seemed to be more cautious than Labour's.

The party's website shows it supports the report of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification and the present moratorium.

"If by the second half of 2003 it is clear that the Government cannot meet its self-imposed October 2003 deadline, United Future would have no hesitation in supporting an extension of the moratorium until such time as the Government's policy work has been completed," the website says.

Asked if the Greens would work in concert with United Future tobargain with Labour, Ms Fitz-simons said: "There's a really interesting idea. The thought has crossed my mind." She said they planned a courtesy call on Mr Dunne.

The Greens have appointed a team of five negotiators. They will hold a caucus meeting today to discuss their approach and plan further talks with Labour tomorrow.

Mr Donald said there was "no immediate panic" to reach an agreement because the final results of the election would not be known until August 14.

The Greens believe there is a slim chance that special votes, which significantly boosted their tally in 1999, will again improve their share of the vote and deliver them a ninth MP.

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