United Future sees red again over the Greens

United Future says New Zealand cannot afford the "caveman economics" of the Green Party - a further indication that it will not support a Labour-Green coalition.
United Future leader Peter Dunne said yesterday that free trade could be sacrificed if the Greens were part of a new government.

"The Greens have long opposed free trade in their quixotic attempts to remake the world in their own image."

The living standards of ordinary New Zealanders relied on greater access to overseas markets and growth in the value of exports. "New Zealand cannot afford the 'caveman economics' advocated by the Greens."

In the next 12 to 18 months the government would have to deal with the balance of payments problem.

"The last thing New Zealand needs in that situation is Nandor Tanczos or Keith Locke advocating policies that will undermine investor confidence, deter trade and make it tougher for New Zealand businesses to export to overseas markets."

United Future last week promised to "slay the Green monster". Their "fanatical opposition to improving roading networks would hurt regional economies throughout New Zealand and their enthusiasm for greater illegal drug use would see our kids going to school every day stoned out of their gourds", Mr Dunne said earlier.

Greens co-leader Rod Donald said the economy would not be harmed by a Labour-Green Party coalition government. "The Green Party is committed to making our economy more sustainable and self-reliant."

* The latest Herald-DigiPoll survey put the Greens at 6.4 per cent and United Future at 1.3 per cent.

- NZPA