ACT Will Continue to be the Party of Influence

Thursday 25 Jul 2002

Opinion polls show voters are moving away from the two old parties and Helen Clark has lost her gamble that Labour could govern alone, ACT leader Richard Prebble says.

"The media are now talking about the possibility of a coalition of the four parties of the centre-right.

"ACT has steadily increased its support by running an issues-based campaign, on the real issues facing New Zealand - zero tolerance for crime, a tax cut for every worker, one law for all, world class education and a patients' guarantee to cut hospital waiting lists.

"ACT will support any government that is committed to take action on these issues. ACT would prefer to support such a government by voting issue by issue, without any Ministers in Cabinet.

"ACT is a party of values, not politics. ACT is interested in policies, not office. ACT is certainly not prepared to trade our values for ministerial perks. We declined to join Jenny Shipley's government, preferring instead to remain on the cross-benches, keeping the government honest.

"There is an important role in the New Zealand Parliament for a party on the cross-benches that guards the taxpayers' interests while promoting fresh ideas.

"ACT has shown in this election campaign how effective we can be. On issue after issue, the other parties have been lining up to agree with ACT-promoted policies - from getting tough on crime, to a timetable for Treaty settlements, to ACT's idea of using the private sector to solve issues like hospital waiting lists.

"Indeed this campaign shows that regardless of who forms the next government, ACT policies will be on the agenda.

"ACT can keep the next government on track with a solid block of effective MPs in Parliament.

"ACT is a real alternative for voters wanting responsible and stable government, and a Parliament that can keep excessive government spending in check," Mr Prebble said.

ENDS

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