Media Statement
For immediate release
Monday, 12 September 2005

Dunne commits UF to coalition arrangement

United Future leader Peter Dunne today committed the party to a coalition arrangement after the election, adding that smaller parties' positions would be crucial in the current neck-and-neck political environment.

"It is clearly too close to call, but whether it's Labour or National, New Zealanders don't want extremes - and we will make sure they don't get them," Mr Dunne said.

"We will enter coalition talks to take the sharp ideological edges off which ever party New Zealanders give the largest mandate to - and that is exactly why New Zealanders chose MMP. They don't want any party having a monopoly on power ever again.

"People need a real choice and much more than the cross-benches promise that the likes of NZ First are now belatedly and begrudgingly offering," he said.

"That's a nothing promise that Labour and National clearly don't want a bar of - any arrangement with NZ First is doomed to failure. And what does it really mean? NZ First sitting on the sidelines hurling abuse rather than getting on the field. The fact is that United Future will be there and our capacity to work constructively and in a centrist way with both major parties is clear.

"Our commitment to stability - and even more importantly, our track record of delivering it - is unmatched by any of the smaller parties and that is why we offer voters the best deal for further years of stability and growth," he said.

"United Future is the only party that can stop this country lurching to the extreme left or the far right and give it down-the-line commonsense policies that put families first," he said.

Mr Dunne said he fully expected New Zealanders to turn their attention to coalition partners this week.

ENDS

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