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PM's Presser Audio: 2011 Election For 26th November
PM's Presser Audio: 2011 Election For 26th November
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Prime Minister John Key has
announced the 2011 general election will be held on November
26, to avoid political campaigning interfering with the
Rugby World Cup - New Zealand's "largest ever event".
This will allow five weeks of campaigning following the World Cup final. Parliament is likely to rise on October 6.
Mr Key said the early announcement allowed those involved in the Rugby World Cup (which he said he wants the All Blacks to win) to focus on the event, knowing the election is coming after it. This was the longest advanced notice of an election date that Mr Key knew of.
National plans to campaign on economic management, better value for money in public services, and building a safer New Zealand. Questioning, however, concentrated on politics rather than policy.
Mr Key ruled out working with Winston Peters after the election but indicated continued willingness to work with the Maori Party, comparing Hone Harawira's disaffection to that of Roger Douglas in the ACT Party.
He said National will run electorate candidates against coalition partners Rodney Hide and Peter Dunne, but was undecided how vigorous those campaigns might be.
In other matters the Prime Minister said Egyptian President Mubarak's plan to not seek re-election provided "some clarity" and emphasized the need for stability and a smooth transistion. He stood by the use of commercial flights to get New Zealanders out of Egypt.
Mr Key said he did not see anything off-colour about discussing which women he thought were "hot" on a radio show hosted by Tony Veitch, and said he thought Liz Hurley would be "thrilled by the endorsement". In 2009 Veitch was convicted the reckless injury of his former partner.
The Prime Minister will be returning to the show for a weekly slot.
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