13 Jul 2017

Will the Greens support a Labour - NZ First Government?

From Morning Report, 7:42 am on 13 July 2017

The Green Party has rejected a suggestion by its MP Barry Coates that the party would force a new election, rather than support a Labour-New Zealand First Government.

Left to right: James Shaw and Metiria Turei, Andrew Little and Winston Peters

Left to right: James Shaw and Metiria Turei, Andrew Little and Winston Peters Photo: RNZ

Barry Coates

Barry Coates Photo: Supplied

The Greens co-leader James Shaw told Morning Report Barry Coates was wrong to say that.

"We would absolutely not force an early election. We are committed to changing the Government, but we are only committed to changing it once in any three year cycle.

"So we very strongly believe in a stable and responsible Government, and in fact, it is something we have been campaigning on in the past year... So Barry is incorrect."

Mr Shaw says people worried about the influence of New Zealand First should vote for the Green Party to ensure a stable, progressive government is formed after the election.