'Stable govt needed for choppy future'

PM Key says NZ needs stable government after November election as next three years will inevitably be choppy

16th Aug 11, 8:50am by Alex Tarrant

A stable government is needed after the November 26 election as New Zealand's economy will face volatile times around the world for a number of years, Prime Minister John Key says.

Speaking on TV3's Firstline on Tuesday morning, Key said every political leader wanted to maximise their party vote after National Party President Peter Goodfellow said at the party's conference last weekend National would aim to secure 48% of the party vote at the election.

“If we get a strong party vote, then we can form stable government. In the end I think New Zealand actually needs stable government because I think the next three years, inevitably will still be choppy," Key said on Firstline.

"I think New Zealand will do a lot better, but as we saw last week, it’s volatile," he said.

"In the end all you can do in an election is go to the people of New Zealand and say: look this is our idea, this is what we think is the right direction for the country. This is the team and the leadership we bring to the table and in the end you as New Zealanders need to decide who you want to govern the country, and with what groupings."

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14 Comments

by The best statu… | 16th Aug 11, 10:54am 1313448883

Any government without the Greens has to be more stable.

by steven | 16th Aug 11, 3:25pm 1313465114

uh, the Greens would seem to have been pretty stable actually....

regards

by Colin Riden | 16th Aug 11, 11:31am 1313451094

If defence of the status quo is desirable, then I would agree with Key that: a stable government is needed.

The status quo is though not sustainable - defending it for longer simply increases the magnitude of change that will sooner or later be needed.

Inference: A stable, Key led government will make things worse by defending the status quo.

by Chris-M | 16th Aug 11, 11:48am 1313452105

Of course he wants the largest possible majority. What politician doesn't, under any circumstances? Hi particular concern, if not his only significant one, is flogging off our public assets to his mates at a time when they will attract the least price. It is crucial; his mates have to invest their cash or borrowings in something real, to protect them from the ravages of inflation that he will encourage.

by stp | 16th Aug 11, 12:00pm 1313452847

So far only Greens have stable agenda......

by Wolly | 16th Aug 11, 12:30pm 1313454602

The only "choppy" to look forward to is when some necks are on the block in November...whop...thud.

by alex | 16th Aug 11, 12:34pm 1313454848

So here we have a "only if we`re in power" do I want to be in parliament PM,telling us that NZ

needs a "stable" government.Surely NZ does need stable government from people and

parties who represent us,not people who see themselves as "we know whats good for you,"

and that good for you is driven by a career in the short sell ,short hold of money trading.

Maybe Helensville electorate will wake up to the reality that they were only a means to an

end.

Disappointingly despite JK ,National still is the only party who can presently lead our

country,but that is only a reflection of the lack of vision ,and realistic policies from the other participants in the

electoral playground,and perhaps the lack of the third estates carrying out of it`s function in

our society.Where is the serious background work and unbiased information,or are we

"sound bite'people and so we deserve a sound bite PM

by steven | 16th Aug 11, 3:30pm 1313465443

"a reflection of the lack of vision ,and realistic policies from the other participants in the electoral playground"

Personally I think Labour has this in equal measure to National, and yes both are still inadequate. What iI doubt is Labour's ability to deliver.....ie I worry about the backlog of union and public worker claims that would avalanch if Labour were to win in November.

However I think JK and BE are doing a grand job of lying to us....and its going to get more desperate in the next few months.

regards

by Plan B | 17th Aug 11, 8:22am 1313526121

check out the Robinni interview on the WSJ site- linked- on labour vs capital - video on Tuesday top ten.

by Plan B | 17th Aug 11, 2:49am 1313506171

The Nats only appear like they are the only ones that can run the country because they are in power at the moment, they are on TV a lot appearing to be running things. So we think that they can run things, a bit like thinking that George Cluney is a Doctor because he was in ER. National is full of good old boys (and girls) who really can't run much at all. There policies are cut and paste from discredited Washington consensus ( sell everything, blame the poor for being poor, open NZ to foreign corporates without control , you know, the same old pack of lies)

by deanbo | 16th Aug 11, 2:39pm 1313462364

A stable world economy wouldn't go amiss either. Unfortunately I can't see National or Labour (or any other NZ party) pulling that one off. World Government anyone?

by steven | 16th Aug 11, 3:32pm 1313465552

That wont work either....in fact the opposite watch globalisation die....

regards

by DC | 16th Aug 11, 9:06pm 1313485595

If National sorted the low exchange rate & spent less on roads and more on trains / ferries they would get my vote.

by Plan B | 17th Aug 11, 2:50am 1313506215

looks like they won't be getting your vote then