6 August 2008 Media Statement

No secret agenda Mr Key? How about some answers

If John Key wants to prove he does not have a secret agenda he will have to stop dodging the tough questions about what he would actually do in office, Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen said.

After yesterday promising to make ‘no excuses’ following his Deputy being caught promising to ‘eventually’ sell Kiwibank, Mr Key was making plenty of excuses after a second National MP was caught out hinting at a secret agenda.

Mr Key has lashed out claiming the tapes could have been doctored, that he does not think Bill English was actually talking about Kiwibank, that Helen Clark has instructed Nicky Hager to ‘listen in’ on National emails, and that young Labour activists had infiltrated the National Party conference.

Dr Cullen said Mr Key’s ‘hysteria’ was an attempt to divert attention from the substance of the issues – that his MPs are privately telling supporters that they intend to implement a traditional National agenda if elected.

“Mr Key’s panic is understandable, but his paranoia does him no credit,” Dr Cullen said.

“He had no problems using secret recordings from the Labour Party conference to his political advantage.

“The only reason accusations of secret agendas are gaining traction is because Mr Key has time and time again refused to say what his real plans are. This weekend’s refusals to spell out how he would change KiwiSaver or what actual infrastructure he would build are just the latest examples.

“The truth is that John Key and his MPs going around New Zealand telling their supporters that Mr Key’s ‘Labour plus’ flip flops are only temporary and that there will be a genuine National agenda if they are elected.

“The Labour-led government has a transparent and positive agenda for New Zealand. If Mr Key wants to start debating real issues on our economic, social, and environmental challenges, we would welcome him to the discussion.

“Start telling us what you really plan to do Mr Key.”

ENDS

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