6 December 1999

UNITED CONGRATULATES LABOUR AND ALLIANCE ON COALITION AGREEMENT

United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne, has congratulated the Labour and Alliance Parties on today’s Coalition Agreement.

He says the Agreement is very similar in form and content to the National/United Coalition Agreement in 1996, and sets the benchmark for future Coalition Agreements.

“This Agreement sets out a clear process by which two Parties of similar views can govern effectively.”

“It avoids the fatal mistake of the National/New Zealand First Coalition Agreement which placed that Government in a straightjacket from the day one, and made its demise inevitable.”

“The objective ahead now for Labour and the Alliance must be to govern in a manner which ensures the Alliance is seen to be making a full and proper contribution.”

“However, the problem for Labour is that the more influence the Alliance is seen to have, the more middle New Zealand will be frightened off, and the more the Government’s support will slip.”

“Resolving this paradox and remaining intact to provide stable government will be the new administration’s greatest challenge,” he says.

Mr Dunne says that where the new Government introduces policies which fit United’s principles and policies he will support it; and, where it does not, he will not support it.

ENDS
New Zealand’s Liberal Party

MEDIA STATEMENT
HON PETER DUNNE, MP
LEADER UNITED NEW ZEALAND
Parliament Buildings, Wellington 1.
h (04)471 9410 or (025) 469 808. Fax (04)499 7266.
e-mail: peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz. Internet Address: http://www.united.org.nz

New Zealand’s Liberal Party

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