By VERNON SMALL, Deputy political editor
Michael Cullen has challenged the Opposition to push for a no-confidence motion, giving another sign that the Government is not averse to an early election.
Dr Cullen told the Herald yesterday that he expected the Government to run its full term, but he would welcome a vote on sending troops to Afghanistan.
Asked if the Government was planning for a vote of confidence on the issue, he said: "Well, I wouldn't reject the idea."
But there was no real opportunity to do so.
He said, half-jokingly, that it would be difficult to find time for another debate on the war because of the pressure on legislation before Christmas.
Earlier in Parliament, he attacked National leader Bill English for threatening not to back the Government if it made matters such as GM, free-trade agreements or sending troops to Afghanistan, on which it did not have the support of the Greens or the Alliance, into confidence issues.
"Oh, make my day. Let's have a vote on it as an issue of confidence and let's see them go to the country on an issue where they are saying we don't support the troops in Afghanistan," Dr Cullen said.
He said a party should vote against sending troops overseas only if it disagreed with the deployment.
It should not try to gain a political advantage or try to bring the Government down over the issue.
"If the National Party opposition wants to say that's its position, let them try to explain to the country why they now oppose New Zealand's military commitment in support of the American-led war against terrorism."
In response, National MP Tony Ryall compared Mr English with the English-born Dr Cullen.
"Bill English is a man of this country, He comes from here, he comes from our country."
Story archives:
Links: War against terrorism
Timeline: Major events since the Sept 11 attacks
Cullen: 'make my day' taunt on troops
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