Greens and Labour talk coalition

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Greens and Labour talk coalition

3News NZ

Labour Party leader David Shearer (left) and Green Party co-leader Russel Norman (AAP)

Labour Party leader David Shearer (left) and Green Party co-leader Russel Norman (AAP)

The Greens and Labour are already fighting over how a left-wing coalition would work, following a 3 News Reid-Research poll that shows they could form a government together.

Greens co-leader Russel Norman wants to be Minister of Finance, and is demanding his MPs make up to a third of the Cabinet.

“It’s one of the portfolios that will be on the table,” says Dr Norman. “It will be part of the negotiating mix.”

Yes, that's right: Dr Norman wants to control the country's finances. He would be in charge of the Budget.

“It will be one of the possibilities. It will certainly be on the table.”

But Mr Shearer had a one word answer about giving him the job – “no”.

The 3 News poll shows a Labour-Greens government could take power if an election were held today.

The Greens would have 16 seats - Labour could not do it without them.

So Dr Norman's demands go on. He wants a "proportional Cabinet" that reflects the Greens’ presence. That would mean five to seven ministerial roles.

“That would be the fair approach,” says Dr Norman.

“That would seem to be the fair way to do it,” says Mr Shearer.

So Dr Norman wants Finance, Metiria Turei could get Social Development, Kevin Hague may get Health, Kennedy Graham could go for Trade, Eugenie Sage for the Christchurch rebuild, Gareth Hughes with Energy and Catherine Delahunty with Education.

In good news for Mr Shearer, 43 percent of all voters say he is the best Labour leader. Twelve percent want David Cunliffe, 6.3 percent like Andrew Little, and 5.3 percent choose Grant Robertson.

But the real fight is of course with Prime Minister John Key. We asked voters if they believed Mr Shearer could beat him in 2014.

More than half, 55 percent, say no. Forty-five percent say he could.

And Mr Shearer admitted his definition of beating Mr Key was not getting more votes than National or being a more popular leader - it’s about stitching together a government with the Greens and whomever else.

“If I'm the Prime Minister in 2014, I will have beaten John Key,” says Mr Shearer.

3 News

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Comments

4/12/2012 12:26:06 p.m.

Bill wrote:

The only right the Loony Greens could have to demand anything is if they actually win some electorate seats and not get in through the back door on the back of MMP. Who can take any party seriously that can't win seats.

4/12/2012 10:29:56 a.m.

dorothy wrote:

great news for National!This will really frighten the horses!Russel Norman's head is really becoming massively swollen!

4/12/2012 9:33:29 a.m.

DB wrote:

Wow. Not a National fan but, geeze, Russell Norman as Finance Minister? Good thing there is an alternative - NZFirst. Vote NZFirst to make a coalition. Thats the only way forward.

4/12/2012 8:11:23 a.m.

dave wrote:

"fighting" "demanding" ?! Just where in the hell in any of this story is the evidence to back up this outright fabrication? All it says here and in the footage last night is that its something the greens want to discuss. Its part of their bargining mix. Sure they might really want, and the might push hard for it - but at this stage there is no fight. That bit youve just made up. Why are [cough] journalists [cough] so intent on claiming something that isnt even supported by the factual content of their own story? I dont care who your talking about - stick to the facts patrick. This sensationalised, opinion and spin BS that has become the norm for political reporting is a sad joke.

4/12/2012 1:15:52 a.m.

CG wrote:

There IS an easier solution for voters that don't want to see the Greens calling the shots : Just give both your votes to Labour. Simple!

3/12/2012 7:42:23 p.m.

eddie wrote:

Labour are so backward, even with Norman wanting Finance portfolio, and Shearer saying no...it's frightening the horses and the greens in charge of the countries purse strings...just a bit less more terrifying that Labour having them...this will ensure National get another 3yrs!...guaranteed!...luvely jubbley!

3/12/2012 7:06:43 p.m.

Mike wrote:

What will the discussions be?

How many billions to print to pay Labour/Greens for riping NZ off, and how much this will reduce real wages in NZ?

There is Labours revenue=profit claim, which if it is applied to union dues means unions are some of the biggest tax evaders in NZ under Labours revenue=profit claim. So are they going to imprison unions over it or is tax evasion fine if its done by Labour buddies - like Judith Tizzard paying 0% income tax on 300K plus gov gen salary?

Then there is the last time Greens/Labour were in control of our finances and directed Kiwisaver/ACC to invest in crooks like Madoff which lost NZ roughly $29 billion. Labour/Greens sure have a track record, and its not good.

NZ as a country have borrowed to live for better stand of living for the last 40 years, with govt buying votes with slops in the public trough. We need some fiscal responsibility, not more spending. We also need real surpluses, not creative accouinting surpluses, which if conducted in the busines sector, would see directors up on fraud charges and imprisoned.

Take Labours govt debt, move it under govt owned SOE, debt repaid without a cent actually repaid. Labours changing measurement to % GDP so they could claim debt repaid due to economy growth and not a cent actually repaid. Is also asset revaluation, which saw company directors imprisioned for similar revaluation after the '87 crash, yet Labour/Greens used the same methods 1999-2008 to claim debt repayment without repaying debt.

3/12/2012 6:44:42 p.m.

fools wrote:

A bit premature arnt they? One highly suspect poll and already they are fighting over who will run the country. If i didnt have to live here Id love to see Russel Norman as minister of finance if only to see what sort of rubbish he came up with.