31 October 1999

Prime Minister Could Bring Grand Coalition Together Now, Says Dunne

United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne, says Prime Minister Jenny Shipley could bring together a Grand Coalition now if she really wanted to.

He was responding to Mrs Shipley's comments that a Grand Coalition might be desirable at some point in the future, and Labour leader Helen Clark's opposition to such a move.

Mr Dunne says a Grand Coalition would be one way of blunting the influence of extremist or erratic Parties and achieving stable Government.

"New Zealanders are sick and tired of both political instability and petty squabbling between the Parties."

"They want the next 3 years to be far more positive than the last 3, and for real issues to be addressed once again."

"All Mrs Shipley has to do to achieve a Grand Coalition is give a commitment now that after the election she will seek to put together a majority Government involving the best people from across the political spectrum in Parliament to implement policies on which there is already cross-party support."

"Such a move could be just the circuit breaker New Zealand needs to snap out of its current political lethargy," he says.

Mr Dunne says the cards for putting together a Grand Coalition are all with the Prime Minister at present.

"The real question is - how prepared is she to play them?" he asks.

ENDS
New Zealand's Liberal Party

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